A US survey of 1,000 consumers found that 83 per cent of shoppers plan to purchase at least one electronic gift this Christmas, with videogame consoles the most in demand products.

60 per cent of those polled said that they intended to gift a console, while MP3 players, digital cameras and camcorders were also popular choices.

Brand will play a major role in the purchasing choices consumers make and is most important to those shopping for consoles, with 88 per cent of those intending to gift a console looking for a specific brand.

Two-thirds of consumers said that they will purchase their electronic gifts in store, while 33 per cent plan to shop online. Online shoppers intend to buy significantly more electronic gifts on average.

The survey was jointly conducted by Rockhopper Research and Peanut Labs on November 19 and 20.

Earlier this month a national telephone poll of 1,000 US adults found that 42 per cent of respondents planned to give or receive a videogame this Christmas.

"Computer and videogames are topping holiday lists because they provide a superior entertainment value for the whole family," said Michael Gallagher, president and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association.