BIGresearch January Survey: Plasma Televisions, Picture Cell Phones, Discount Shopping top consumers' list of what's Hot.

01/21/2004 -- Big-ticket high-tech items and discount shopping topped consumers' 'hot' lists along with low-carbohydrate diets heading into 2004, according to the latest study by BIGresearch.

The firm's Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted monthly, features detailed information on consumer perceptions, how consumers are spending money in the present and how they intend to do so in the next three to six months.

The January installment polled over 9,500 consumers. Of those, 84 percent said they considered plasma televisions 'hot' in 2004, while 80 percent said the same about picture cell phones. In the same sample, shopping at discount stores was also seen as 'hot' by 80 percent of respondents, while 67 percent said so about shopping at dollar stores.

"Most of today's consumers believe in buying certain merchandise at the lowest prices available, and discount and dollar stores provide ample opportunities to do so," said Gary Drenik, president and CEO of BIGresearch. "At the same time, consumers see value in such cutting-edge luxuries as the picture phone and high-end television sets."

These trends are supported further in this month's CIA. Consumers said discount shopping stores were their choice first and foremost for women's, men's and children's clothing as well as toys and linens.

Of those surveyed who labeled plasma televisions and picture cell phones as 'hot,' 28 percent shop most often for electronics at Best Buy and 23 percent do so at WalMart. Circuit City ranked third among those buyers at 10 percent.

Low carbohydrate diets were another 'hot' item among consumers; 72 percent of consumers thought so, while 28 percent disagreed.