Back to School Spending on Consumer Electronics to Top $3.1 Billion in 2006; Pencils, Paper and CE Products Top the Shopping List This Year, According to CEA.

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Seventy-two percent of teens expect to have a new consumer electronics (CE) product for back to school this year, according to a recent survey from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA(R)). According to the study, Back to School CE Spending, parents and teens are expected to spend $3.1 billion for CE devices this year for back to school. Not surprisingly, calculators and computers topped the list of products that both teens and parents are likely to buy for school.

"While calculators have been a staple on back to school shopping lists for some time now, computers are a relatively recent 'must-have' item," says Steve Koenig, CEA's senior manager of industry analysis. "As a result, average household spending on back to school supplies is on the rise. In fact, we forecast that 67 percent of parents intend to spend between $100 and $500 on back to school items this year."

However, results of this study indicate that parents aren't the only ones doing the spending. Almost 70 percent of teens expect to spend some of their own money on supplies. CEA estimates that teen spending will amount to $600 million specifically for CE devices. In addition to calculators and computers, many teens will also purchase MP3 players.

"The fact that teens would be willing to spend so much of their own money speaks to the discretionary spending power of this market segment," says Koenig. "That they would choose to spend their money on CE devices shows how highly teenagers value these items as essential tools for school."

The creation of sales tax holidays for computers and computer-related products makes it easier for parents and teens to adopt these technologies for school-related use. CEA believes this is an innovative way to help bridge the "digital divide" that exists in today's classrooms. The states holding sales tax holidays for computer purchases this summer are: Alabama (August 4-6); Georgia (August 3-6); Missouri (August 4-6); New Mexico (August 4-6); North Carolina (August 4-6); South Carolina (August 4-6) and Tennessee (August 4-6). For more information, visit www.ce.org/taxholiday.

Back to School CE Spending was conducted in July, 2006. It was designed and formulated by CEA Market Research, the most comprehensive source of sales data, forecasts, consumer research and historical trends for the consumer electronics industry. Please cite any information to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA(R)). The complete study is available free to CEA member companies. Non-members may purchase the study for $499 at www.ce.org/CEAStore.

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA represents more than 2,100 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and landline communications, information technology, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, CEA's members account for more than $125 billion in annual sales. CEA's resources are available online at www.CE.org, the definitive source for information about the consumer electronics industry.

CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES - Defining Tomorrow's Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.

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