According to a recent report by Sensor Tower, global app sales and spending on Christmas Day 2019 saw a significant increase of 11.3% over the previous year. This notable rise in consumer spending highlights the growing trend of mobile app usage and the increasing importance of digital platforms in our daily lives.
Sales on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store reached an impressive $277 million on Christmas Day, up from $249 million the previous year. This surge in spending underscores the popularity of mobile apps and games as holiday gifts and entertainment options.
Consumer spending in apps and mobile games on Christmas accounted for about 5 percent of all revenue generated by the stores for the month of December, which reached nearly $5.1 billion globally according to our estimates. This was 8 percent greater than the approximately $4.7 billion spent across both platforms during December 2018.
Breakdown of Mobile Spending
The majority of mobile spending on Christmas, approximately $210 million, was focused on the Games category. This category generated 76 percent of revenue across both stores and grew about 8 percent year-over-year from $195 million. This growth can be attributed to the increasing quality and variety of mobile games available, as well as the rising number of mobile gamers worldwide.
One of the standout performers in the mobile games category was PUBG Mobile from Tencent’s TiMi studio. The game led in-game spending with $8.5 million, up an astonishing 431 percent from the $1.6 million players spent in the game on Christmas 2018. This dramatic increase highlights the game’s growing popularity and the effectiveness of its monetization strategies.
Factors Contributing to Increased Spending
Several factors contributed to the increase in app sales and spending on Christmas Day 2019. One key factor is the widespread adoption of smartphones and tablets, which has made mobile apps more accessible to a larger audience. Additionally, the holiday season often sees an influx of new device activations, leading to increased app downloads and in-app purchases.
Another contributing factor is the growing trend of digital gifting. Many consumers now prefer to give digital gifts, such as app store gift cards or in-app purchases, rather than traditional physical gifts. This shift in consumer behavior has led to a surge in app sales during the holiday season.
Moreover, app developers and publishers often run special promotions and discounts during the holiday season to attract more users and boost sales. These promotions can include limited-time offers, exclusive in-game items, and holiday-themed content, all of which encourage users to spend more on their favorite apps and games.
The rise of subscription-based apps has also played a role in the increased spending. Many consumers are now opting for subscription services that offer ongoing access to premium content and features. This trend is particularly evident in categories such as streaming services, fitness apps, and productivity tools.
The significant increase in global app sales and spending on Christmas Day 2019 reflects the growing importance of mobile apps in our daily lives. With the continued rise of smartphone adoption, digital gifting, and subscription-based services, it is likely that this trend will continue in the coming years.
You can see the full report over at Sensor Tower at the link below.
Source Sensor Tower
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