Drone sales recorded threefold jump in just one year
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This is according to The NPD Group's Retail Tracking Service.
Over the past six months ending April 2016, sales growth has accelerated to more than four times higher than the same time period last year.
Drones with 4K cameras accounted for more than one-third of dollar sales in the 12 months ending April 2016, while drones with built-in GPS accounted for 64 percent of revenue.
Additionally, drones with an average price greater than $500 accounted for 56 percent of dollar sales in that same time period. The average drone sold for more than $550 in April, giving drones one of the highest average prices of all categories in technology at retail.
Drones proved to be a compelling holiday item with the 2015 holiday season seeing unit sales increasing 445 percent from the prior holiday season. Accompanied by high consumer interest and competitive prices, sales for December alone were 273 percent higher.
Demand for drones were seemingly unaffected by the announcement and implementation of the Federal Aviation Administration’s registration rule, requiring owners of drones weighing between 0.55 lbs. and 55 lbs. to register their products before flying them outdoors. From the announcement in October to the implementation in December, dollar sales at least doubled month over month. â–