Online global survey indicates 60% would spend more time in their bathroom if digitally enhanced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) December 10, 2008 -- BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – Increasing numbers of consumers across the globe are using digital products - from wireless devices and portable music players to computers as well as accessing the Internet - from the sanctuary of their bathroom. This overall trend has been identified following a survey commissioned by Ideal Standard International, a leading provider of innovative and design-driven bathroom solutions.

According to the on-line poll, eight out of ten consumers surveyed currently use at least one type of electronic device in their bathroom; the most popular are mobile/ wireless devices such as portable music players as well as digital weight scales. Six out of ten consumers said that they would spend more time in the bathroom if it were equipped with digital products, preferably for communicating, entertainment and wellness. Eight out of ten consumers indicated an intention of purchasing one or more digital products developed for the bathroom; nearly 10% indicated an interest in buying at least five products.
The survey laid bare a number of clear regional differences: the Asian markets surveyed, China, South Korea and Thailand, are currently by far the most tech-savvy countries; followed by Russia as well as Southern European countries including Spain, Italy and Greece.

Overall, people are most interested in digital products for entertainment. Thailand and South Korea top the ranking; other countries who expressed a similar interest are Egypt, UK, Belgium, France and the Netherlands. The consumers surveyed were generally also interested in digital products that enhance their health (Bulgaria, China and Russia). Following closely are Greece, Italy, and Spain, who expressed interest in digital products that offer wellness features.
In general, teenagers (15-20 years old) are very interested in having digital products in the bathroom and indicated that they would spend more time in a digitally enhanced bathroom. At 79%, UK teenagers scored the highest in all EMEA countries. In Asia, the top score was measured in Thailand with an overwhelming 90%. The most popular category is entertainment.

The survey was conducted by Synovate, a leading global market research company, via an on-line poll which asked over 5,000 consumers between 15-70 years old which digital items they would like available or currently use in the bathroom. The survey covered 14 markets in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Asia: Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, South Korea, The Netherlands, Russia, Spain, Thailand and the United Kingdom.

Please visit www.idealstandardinternational.com for more information of visuals.

bathroom     Catherine Teirlynck     digital     Ideal Standard     Jado     Robin Levien     SimplyU     Synovate     Tonax