Online sales channel on the up and up: GfK

In the largest survey of tablet devices undertaken in Australia, GfK Australia has found that 188,000 tablets have been purchased in the last six months, with the majority of these being Apple iPads.

Looming interest rate rises and a fragile global economy could keep consumers from purchasing big ticket items in 2010, according to GfK. The analyst group also predicts the lack of Government cash stimulus packages could prevent retailers from chalking up similar sales to this time last year.

Microsoft’s Xbox 360 boasted a 12 per cent year-on-year increase in console sales but its growth rate trailed behind its rival, the Sony Playstation 3.

The video game industry continues to record strong growth, thanks to a widening consumer age demographic looking to maximise entertainment in tough economic times.

Despite patchy retail results, Australian spending on technical goods grew more in June than any other month this year, according to research firm, GfK.

Gaming juggernauts, Nintendo and Microsoft, have announced major milestones in sales as the gaming market continues to prove resilient in the face of the economic downturn.

Retail figures for electronics in the first three months of 2009 have achieved healthy growth of 12.3 per cent, despite the recession.