• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, September 1, 2022

Following post-pandemic surges in consumer technology adoption, Americans will spend 6% less purchasing new tech devices this year, and 3% next year, according to a new forecast released Tuesday by NPD Group.

While U.S. consumer technology sales will remain 11% above 2019, the flattening adoption likely reflects some saturation as many Americans spent the past two years acquiring tech products that made their stay at/work-from-home lifestyles more comfortable, convenient, entertaining and productive, according to NPD analysts, who project home automation will continue to see incremental growth this holiday season.

“Rather than waiting for promotions, or in some cases specific products, they bought what was available when they needed it,” NPD Vice President-Industry Advisor Paul Gagnon noes, adding, “But as consumers return to more ‘normal’ behaviors and schedules we are seeing a shift back to pre-pandemic purchase patterns and believe consumers will once again be seeking out holiday deals this fourth quarter.”

Among the bright spots predicted this holiday season are purchases of new TVs, tablets, “true wireless” headphones, as well as home automation products.

Entertainment tech sales, in particular, are expected to be generated by holiday season consumer promotions, as well as declines in average selling prices.

Home automation products are predicted to boom due to advances in technology making them more compatible and easier to set-up by consumers, including smart doorbells and item trackers.

Data released by NPD to date, makes no reference to adoption of extended reality technologies like VR, AR, etc. that are deemed to be the basis of developing the metaverse.