In the weeks before Christmas sales on such items abound and consumers can find much of what they are looking for at low prices. The introduction of updated products usually causes manufacturers to reduce prices on older versions, for example. The biggest price reductions - 10-15 percent within the last six months - were noted among large LCD and plasma-screen TV sets.
"LCD and plasma TVs are usually the most popular equipment sold before Christmas," said Joanna Pondo-Konopek from the Neonet electronics chain.
"Plasma TVs, laptops, mp3 players and navigation systems," topped last year's most popular items at Media Markt and Saturn stores, according to Wioletta Batóg of Media-Saturn Holding Polska, parent company of both stores.
"This year, the list will also include video-game consoles, multimedia and internet phones, as well as iPods," she said.
In recent months, prices for some branded LCD and plasma television sets have dropped below zł.2,000, and shopping for these items can be even cheaper online.
"People in Poland are visibly getting used to buying big equipment online," said Sandra Badzińska of Elektro.pl, a hi-tech e-tailer.
According to a report by Nokaut.pl, a price comparison website, the prices of electronics on the internet are, on average, 17 percent lower online than in stores.
"[Online shops] are strong competition, but at a traditional store the customer can try out the product and take it home instantly. We are also trying to be price-competitive," said Batóg.
"The financial crisis so far has affected the bourse, banks and real estate. It is still not beeing felt by Polish customers' wallets," said Sebastian Gawłowski, an analyst from Money.pl.
"Christmas has always been an exceptional time, when we buy a lot of gifts, even at the price of stretching our budgets. The low unemployment and rising salaries we have witnessed this year should contribute to big spending."
