NPD: Hair straighteners beat out electric shavers this season

While it is too early to tell what the hot gift items will be this holiday season, according to an early indicator from the NPD Group, hair straighteners grew in popularity over last year, while drip coffeemakers and electric shavers declined.

In the six months ending October 2008, pod style coffeemakers increased in unit share, compared to the same time in 2007. However, the 9 to 12 cup models still dominate the market with a 70% share. Models that contain a built-in coffee grinder are less popular this year than they have been in the past two years. Permanent filters have grown and currently account for almost 23% of the market, up 19% from 2007.

Forty-five percent of all curling irons/stylers sold between May and October 2008 were straighteners.  Nineteen percent of all hair straightners sold in the six months ending October 2008 use ionic technology, compared to just 14% in 2007.

Among those who purchased an electric shaver as a gift, 66% said the recipient provided input on which brand/model to choose. Almost 6 in 10 purchasers had a brand in mind before entering the store.