PMA Data Watch: Photo publishing product prices remain consistent

Each quarter, PMA Marketing Research reviews a variety of online photo sites tracking the latest prices and other news related to photo publishing products to report in Newsline International. Spending on photo publishing products was estimated to hit about $1.2 billion in 2008 and was expected to grow only slightly (one percent) this past year. Photo publishing products are, however, affordable in relation to other gift products and retailers continue to promote them.
  Calendars and greeting cards were greatly emphasized on the majority of the sites with the New Year in tow and Valentines Day rapidly approaching. Photo books remain prominent, as well. Shutterfly had a promotion to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation over this past holiday season and photo books and proceeds will be donated to the foundation throughout 2010. As usual, prices did not vary much among similar products across the sites that were surveyed. Numerous winter specials were taking place. Snapfish offered 40 percent off a variety of winter themed items. Shutterfly and Costco featured a New Years sale where photo books were 20 percent off. CVS was having a sale on all photo gift items.
  Determining an average price for certain products has become increasingly difficult due to the wide variety of sizes and styles available. Sometimes changes in average prices reflect new and improved product offerings, or the addition or subtraction of a product. Average prices documented this quarter for photo books were pretty much the same as last quarter. Average prices for mugs and mousepads did not change either. The average price of photo canvases, posters and personalized photo calendars declined a little bit. Finally, greeting card prices varied slightly. Prices are listed for folded greeting cards and photo cards.
  There are many photo sites on the market that were not part of the informal survey by PMA Marketing Research and new photo sites are constantly being created, so these averages do not necessarily represent the entire online custom photo gift market. Limited time sales prices were also not included in the average prices.
  A more detailed report of custom product prices is available on the PMA Marketing Research website.