What’s the Latest: From VHS to iPods, retro tech is driving this year’s holiday shopping season
A new survey from Best Buy Canada reveals that nostalgia for retro technology is driving holiday shopping, particularly among younger Canadians. The survey indicated that 40 per cent of Canadians are likely to purchase nostalgic gifts, with the trend being most pronounced among millennials and Gen Z.
A survey conducted by Angus Reid revealed that 40 per cent of Canadians plan to purchase gifts out of nostalgia this holiday season, with the trend particularly pronounced among millennials and Gen Z. The survey also found that 37 per cent of Canadians have cancelled at least one streaming service in the past six months, indicating a notable shift in consumer preferences towards physical media.
Best Buy Canada’s survey indicates that a significant number of Canadians are gravitating towards retro technology this holiday season, with 40 per cent of Canadians likely to purchase nostalgic gifts. As a response to changing consumer preferences, retailers are expected to stock more physical media products, including popular items like the Apple iPod and vintage gaming consoles, to meet demand.
What remains unclear — The survey does not specify how many Canadians are currently seeking retro tech or physical media during the holiday shopping season.
Retro technology boosts holiday shopping among young Canadians this year
Nostalgia is shaping the holiday shopping season in Canada this year, with an increasing number of consumers seeking retro technology and media. According to a survey by Best Buy Canada, 40% of Canadians intend to purchase gifts that evoke nostalgia. The trend is particularly pronounced among younger shoppers, with 53% of millennials and 49% of Generation Z citing nostalgia as a driving factor in their gift choices.
Kushal Samy, the director of brand marketing at Best Buy Canada, noted, “We’re seeing younger Canadians rediscover technology many of us grew up with. This isn’t nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake.” The report highlights a growing interest in physical media, as one-third of survey respondents indicated they value ownership of traditional formats like vinyl records and video game cartridges.
In a related Angus Reid survey, nearly 37% of Canadians reported cancelling at least one streaming service over the past six months, an increase from 32% four years ago. The desire to return to physical formats aligns with this shift, with 23% of Canadians having purchased music, movies, or games in physical form last year. This figure rises to 32% for millennials and 30% for Generation Z.
Among the retro items gaining popularity, the Apple iPod tops the list, especially among Gen Z consumers. Boomers exhibit a preference for VCRs and VHS tapes, while millennials lean towards vintage gaming consoles such as the Nintendo 64. Other trending categories include headphones, earbuds, and vinyl turntables.
Retailers are witnessing a resurgence in demand for analog and vintage tech, reflecting a broader cultural shift. Consumers are increasingly favouring tangible products over digital alternatives, indicating a significant change in purchasing behaviour this holiday season.