The All Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (WCIOM) revealed what are the things that Russians buy every year and plan to purchase in 2019. Apparently, Russian consumers are spontaneous buyers of mobile phones and TVs: Four times more people bought a mobile phone in 2018 than planned such a purchase.

Things that Russians bought last year

Among the most vital items that locals are shopping for are mobile phones. 28% of locals got a new phone last year, a recent survey by WCIOM.ru revealed.

• 19% of respondents reported purchasing household appliances. The same share of people spent money on renovating homes or buying some new furniture (home renovations and furniture are in the same category, for some reason).
• “Trip to the trip” is actually a “tour” (we used an online translator for tables): 14% of respondents went somewhere for a vacation.
• 12% of locals got new TV’s.
• 10% acquired a new computer, notebook or tablet.
• The same share of respondents (10%) paid for education for themselves or kids.
• 9% of Russians purchased a car in 2018.
• 6% acquired an apartment or house or paid a deposit to build one.
• Jewellery and antiques were acquired by 6% of survey participants.
• Only 5% of Russians paid for a gym membership.
• Only 3% among the people who answered the questions paid for a private health insurance.
• 2% of respondents got a camera.
• 2% of users bought a country side house (dacha) or land in the countryside.
• 1% of locals got a garage or parking space.

Last year Russians basically stopped buying bonds, shares and other securities. In previous years there were about 1% of respondents that made such purchases, but in 2018 their share dropped below 1% required to appear on the list.

29% of respondents didn’t purchase any of the above items in 2018.

Things that Russians plan to buy in 2019

It seems that mobile phones, although it’s the most popular purchase among Russians, is not something they plan but rather grab on the spur of the moment. Only 7% of locals are planning to buy a new phone in 2019. But probably, it will be about 3 people out of 10 that will actually do it.

The majority of locals are planning home renovations and furniture purchases and also wish to travel. We will find out next year how many of them do it, in WCIOM statistics. 23% of respondents indicated plans to improve homes but only 16% of them did so.

It is also only 7% of locals that plan to buy a new TV, but it will be probably twice as many that will do it.

Gadgets and TV’s seem to be a type of spontaneous items that people just grab when there is a good deal or an opportunity.

Home electronics seems to be the “go to” item that locals gram when they can.

30% of respondents indicated no plans to purchase any such things, and they are likely to be telling the truth. It’s the ones that plan to travel and renovate homes that end up buying new phones and TV’s, which is a much easier thing to do, right?

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