Dec 22, 2011

The hottest gifts of the yearBy David KaplanChron.com

Among the most wished-for gifts this holiday season are — no surprise — iPads, smartphones, e-readers and video games. High-tech again is the rage.

But beyond digital, other items are trending hot as consumers approach the final shopping days — animal hats, white watches, boots and Barbie, for example. Fashion accessories are particularly popular this holiday season, retail analysts say.

And while there’s no shortage of tech-savvy kids, plenty of youngsters still want dolls, Hot Wheels and Legos.

Apparel remains the No. 1 retail category for holiday gift-giving, said Howard Davidowitz, chairman of Davidowitz & Associates, a national retail consulting and investment banking firm in New York.

The men’s apparel sector is growing faster this year than it has in previous years, he said.

Within apparel, the accessories category is “exploding,” Davidowitz said, partly because of the relative affordability of scarves, handbags and some jewelry and their ability to change someone’s fashion look easily.

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