The Apple iWatch may not ever be released, but 17 percent of teens say they would buy one if it were priced at $350, according to the annual survey of the teen market by investment bank Piper Jaffray.

Last year, 12 percent said they would buy one; the increase is “an indication of consumer appetite,” the company said.

Some 6 percent said they already own a smartwatch. 

The survey also found a marked decrease in teen spending on accessories, with purchases down 22 percent among upper-income teens, and 26 percent among average-income teens. 

The survey characterized the teen generation as “experience seeking,” noting that, for the first time in the survey’s history, food ranked over clothing as the number one teen purchase.

Accessories/personal care ranked behind clothing, but ahead of shoes and every other category.

Shopping at brick-and-mortar stores remains popular compared to online, favored by 75 percent of female teens but only 50 percent of males. 

Teens ranked Instagram as the most important social network, exceeding Twitter and Facebook for the first time in the survey history.

 

Follow JCK on Instagram: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Twitter: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Facebook: @jckmagazine