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Holiday VR/AR Sales More Than Doubled From 2020: NPD

“The future looks bright” for hardware and accessories in the virtual- and augmented-reality consumer product category, based on “a very successful 2021 holiday period,” reported NPD Thursday. Sales of VR/AR hardware and accessories in the five weeks ended Christmas grew…

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180% in unit and 153% in dollar sales, compared with the same 2020 period, it said. NPD’s retail tracking service found growth for full-year 2021 was slightly lower than for the holiday, rising 163% in unit sales and 137% in revenue compared with 2020. “Consumers continue to look for unique entertainment experiences,” said Ben Arnold, NPD executive director-tech industry analyst. He speculated the VR/AR space “also likely benefited from challenges consumers faced in securing popular gaming consoles.” As new VR/AR devices become available, and the consumer base has an opportunity to grow, said Arnold, “we expect positive momentum in the year ahead -- starting with 32% revenue growth in the first half.”