Sales of jumbo TVs (with screens of 65” or more) have leapt by 318 per cent over the past year, driven by the impact of the ‘Netflix effect’.
Experts at Argos, which sells more TVs in the UK than anyone else, attribute the trend to the increase in 4K content available from Netflix, which is driving demand for bigger TVs as customers super-size their screens to binge on blockbuster box sets and watch the latest Hollywood movies in 4K high definition, home cinema quality.
The best-selling size range for TVs at Argos has also grown from 44”–50” to 51”–59”, as customers seek bigger screens with better picture quality. The retailer also sells around 1.5 times more 4K TVs than HD models (by value), with 4K TV sales up 43 per cent year-on-year.
Argos’s first ever ‘Year in Tech’ revealed the rise, which today unveils the tech trends that have swept the nation over the past twelve months. The leading technology and electricals retailer analysed a year’s worth of sales data to uncover the trends that have influenced UK shoppers’ buying behaviour.
During the height of World Cup fever in June, sales of jumbo TVs (with screens of 65” or more) soared by over 400 per cent month-on-month compared with the same time last year, as customers sought a more immersive viewing experience that would allow them to feel closer to the sporting action.
In order to meet this demand, Argos launched a TV AR app in June, just in time for the summer of sport, to allow customers to accurately size up the TV that was the perfect fit for their home.
In addition, approximately 80 per cent of all TVs sold at Argos (by value) are now smart, suggesting that customers’ passion for smart devices is continuing to grow. Smart TVs allow customers to stream their favourite shows, use catch-up services, watch the latest films and browse the web all from the comfort of the living room. As smart TV sales have grown, of 3D TV sales have dropped which Argos experts attribute to customers finding the experience gimmicky and not wanting to wear glasses.
Customers are also increasingly buying into soundbars, with around one in ten buying a soundbar with their new TV, seeking sound quality that matches the high-quality viewing experience offered by their TV.
Serena Faruque, TV Buying Manager at Argos, said: “Bigger really is better for our customers when it comes to TVs with more investing in jumbo screens than ever. The ‘Netflix effect’ is driving this as more and more of us want to stream the latest blockbuster box sets and enjoy them on the big screen in the comfort of our own home.
“More customers are also investing in soundbars which perfectly complement their entertainment experience. With TVs getting increasingly flatter and thinner, more customers are looking to soundbars to provide powerful audio, to match the incredible picture delivered by 4K screens.
“We predict that OLED technology, which offers the ultimate viewing experience, is going to see huge growth in the future as it becomes more cost-effective and accessible for telly addicts nationwide.”
A Year in Tech
‘A Year in Tech’, from Argos, part of the Sainsbury’s Group, today reveals how the nation has shopped for tech over a twelve-month period. From the explosion in demand for smart speakers and drones, to the drop in popularity of tablets and e-readers, ‘A Year in Tech’ reveals what’s hot and what’s not in the world of technology.
The data has shown that gen X (45-54 year olds) buys the most tech (23 per cent), closely followed by baby boomers (over 55s) and mildults (35-44 year olds at 22 per cent) with millennials spending the least on tech (14 per cent for 18–24 year-olds and 19 per cent for 25-34 year olds).
The research also found that women buy the most tech at Argos (53 per cent vs. 47 per cent of men) except when it comes to drones (45 per cent of women vs. 55 per cent of men) and smart home tech (41 per cent of women vs. 59 per cent of men).
