The Core of the Matter
With 31% of the smartphone market,[1]Zach Epstein, NPD: Apple was best-selling U.S. smartphone vendor by wide margin in Q2, August 23, 2012, BGR.com 66% of the tablet market[2]AP, Worldwide market share for tablet systems a market dominated by Apple’s iPad, Sept 5 2012, Washingtonpost.com and 6.7% share of the very splintered and entrenched desktop market[3]Market share for browsers, operating systems and search engines, August 2012, Netmarketshare.com., Apple is a company that cannot be ignored. Among Generation Y, the Millennials and their younger followers the share is even higher. If you're talking about real estate buyers, typically the more financially stable segment of the population, I'd posit that you'd see an even higher market share given to Apple.
Younger generations have avoided buying cars.[4]Brad Tuttle, Car Ownership Not Popular With Generation Y, May 2, 2012, Time.com The first major purchase they make will instead be a computer or smartphone. Technology is now their first introduction to installment payments for big ticket items. A computer is often the first item where a young consumer must buy with an eye towards maintenance costs and longevity. They may have to choose between a style leader something that's less fashionable but more affordable. Basically, buying a computer is now the average Chicago consumer's training for buying a house.
Apple has succeeded where the real estate industry has failed. They've convinced those cash-strapped younger consumers to pay a premium for equipment. (more…)
References
↑1 | Zach Epstein, NPD: Apple was best-selling U.S. smartphone vendor by wide margin in Q2, August 23, 2012, BGR.com |
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↑2 | AP, Worldwide market share for tablet systems a market dominated by Apple’s iPad, Sept 5 2012, Washingtonpost.com |
↑3 | Market share for browsers, operating systems and search engines, August 2012, Netmarketshare.com. |
↑4 | Brad Tuttle, Car Ownership Not Popular With Generation Y, May 2, 2012, Time.com |