Gazelle CES RECOMMERCE Report Predicts Increase in Gadget Trade-Ins to Drive Strong CE Sales in 2011

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Gazelle (www.gazelle.com), the nation's largest RECOMMERCE™ service, today released the results of a survey that polled more than 300 attendees at International CES and gauged likely Consumer Electronic purchase and resale trends in 2011 vis-a-vis 2010. The survey aimed to better understand not only the types of electronics that CES attendees plan to purchase this year and how they differ from last year, but also how many attendees traded in or resold their used electronics in 2010 and how many plan to in 2011. The study pointed to an overall 51% increase in those who plan to resell or trade-in their used electronics in 2011 as opposed to 2010 with 60% planning to RECOMMERCE their gadgets.  Research also found that 73% polled purchased a cell phone or smartphone in 2010.  In addition, 32% purchased tablets in 2010 and more than one-third of respondents plan to upgrade their tablet in 2011.

Gazelle accepts hundreds of thousands of consumer electronic trade-ins each year, giving it unique insight into U.S. consumption habits.  The company has been devoting time at CES to better understanding how purchase and resale patterns may change in 2011 and why the changes may occur.

Other notable findings from the survey include:

Cell/smartphones, laptops and tablets are the CE gadgets most likely to be purchased in 2011:

• 64% of respondents plan to purchase a new cell/smartphone, while 39% plan to purchase laptops, and 33% plan to purchase new tablets
• Digital cameras, MP3 players and video game console upgrades could be weaker in 2011, with respondents planning to upgrade at rates of 28%, 16% and 14%, respectively

RECOMMERCE grew in importance in the lifecycle for electronic device consumption in 2010 and will be even more important in 2011

• While 28% of respondents traded in or sold a used cell or smartphone in 2010, nearly 43% plan to in 2011 (52% increase year-over-year)
• While just over 14% of respondents traded in or sold a used laptop in 2010, more than 24% plan to in 2011 (69% increase year-over-year)
• While almost 3% of respondents traded in or sold a used tablet in 2010, almost 12% plan to in 2011 (337% increase year-over-year)
• While almost 8% of respondents traded in or sold a used digital camera in 2010, nearly 16% plan to in 2011 (100% increase year-over-year)
• While almost 8% of respondents traded in or sold a used mp3 player in 2010, nearly 11% plan to in 2011 (43% increase year-over-year)
• While 6% of respondents traded in or sold a used video game console in 2010, 10% plan to in 2011 (64% increase year-over-year)

Cell/smartphones, laptops, mp3 players and video game consoles are the most likely categories for RECOMMERCE:

• Of the respondents who plan to purchase a new cell/smartphone in 2011, 67% expect to RECOMMERCE their used cell/smartphone
• Of the respondents who plan to purchase a new laptop in 2011, 62% expect to RECOMMERCE their used laptop
• Of the respondents who plan to purchase a new mp3 player in 2011, 65% expect to RECOMMERCE their used player
• Of the respondents who plan to purchase a new video game console in 2011, 72% plan to RECOMMERCE their used console

"With more people planning to upgrade and trade in their electronic devices in 2011, it is becoming clear how both actions are becoming inextricably linked. Simply put, consumers are beginning to incorporate RECOMMERCE into their purchase patterns, understanding that used electronics have significant value," said Israel Ganot, co-founder and CEO of Gazelle.

The overall CE and RECOMMERCE trends survey is part of Gazelle's ongoing effort to gather and release data that attempts to better reflect CE market trends and purchase patterns. In November, Gazelle released the Holiday RECOMMERCE™ report, a forecast of which electronic gadgets the company anticipated would sell particularly well over the holiday season based on analysis of recent CE trade-in trends.

ABOUT GAZELLE

Gazelle (www.gazelle.com), a service of Second Rotation, Inc., provides the easiest, fastest and safest way for consumers to get cash for their unwanted electronic devices.  Gazelle takes the risk and effort out of selling electronic gadgets online and provides its users with benefits such as free shipping and packaging and comprehensive identity/data removal.  To date, Gazelle has helped more than 150,000 consumers reCommerce their old gadgets to de-clutter their lives, earn quick cash and generally lead a greener lifestyle. Based in Boston, Gazelle is backed by premier venture capital firms Physic Ventures, Venrock Associates and RockPort Capital Partners.

SOURCE Gazelle