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Christmas 2011 surge in iPad usage leads independent e-tailer to predict big things for tablet PCs

Christmas 2011 surge in iPad usage leads independent e-tailer to predict big things for tablet PCs

 

ShopStyle.co.uk has revealed that post-Christmas iPad usage is soaring, with visits to the ShopStyle.co.uk site rising by 103% in the days following Christmas compared to the rest of the month of December.

 

ShopStyle also reported that, since December 2010, iPad usage has grown by 80%. Moreover, with price comparison site Pricegrabber’s recent survey indicating that 79% of consumers preferred to receive a tablet device over a laptop at Christmas, it predicts that tablets will become the essential choice for online shoppers in 2012.

 

Although the Apple iPad currently has the largest share of the market (61% in the third quarter of 2011 according to IDC), Google Android devices are also expected to grow in popularity in 2012.

 

Capitalising on tablet adoption surge

 

Some 23.6 million tablets were shipped for the fourth quarter and ShopStyle said its statistics based on what devices consumers are using to shop on its site proves their eagerness to use these new gadgets to shop online.

 

Shannon Edwards, managing director and vice president in Europe for ShopStyle thinks that tablets will become a significant revenue stream for online stores in 2012. She said: “As we head into the New Year, retailers should be thinking carefully about how they can capitalise on user interest in iPad and how they can work harder to offer great experiences.

 

“Our latest stats show users embracing iPad and apps such as the ShopStyle app, which has been designed specifically for Apple devices. Our app makes it fun and easy to find what you are looking for – with large images, a huge selection of products and retailers, plus the ability to set sale alerts from your favourites stores.”