Robots Take Over – The Vacuuming
Auckland, 11 June 2014 – Aucklanders are leading the charge towards automated vacuum cleaning according to a new survey
from Canstar Blue.
The nationwide survey of recent vacuum cleaner purchasers, showed that 1-in-4 Aucklanders bought automatic or robotic
vacuum cleaners, says Derek Bonnar, Canstar General Manager, New Zealand.
“Robotic vacuum cleaners have greatest appeal to Aucklanders, who are far more likely than people from other regions -
in some cases up to eight times more likely in the case of the Waikato – to opt for an automated cleaner.
“Automated cleaners also found favour with the survey’s Generation X and male respondents, who perhaps don’t have the
time or can’t be bothered to push a traditional vacuum cleaner around the lounge.”
Quality was the order of the day for the majority of vacuum cleaner owners. Nearly three quarters said they chose a good
vacuum cleaner that had lasted them for years. Men were significantly more likely than women to purchase a good vacuum
cleaner.
Many households had more than one vacuum cleaner, with those from the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty topping the stakes
for vacuum cleaner ownership. Aucklanders also placed high importance on a clean car interior, with a third of those
surveyed keeping a hand-held vacuum cleaner in their car. In addition, cleaning up after pets was an important purchase
factor for 43% in the survey.
The survey reported an uneven split of vacuuming duties between the sexes, says Bonnar.
“Two thirds of female respondents say they do all the vacuuming in their household, compared to just over half of male
respondents. In the regions Waikato men are the least likely to do all the vacuuming in their household (43 per cent)
compared to 63 per cent of Auckland men.”
The survey asked respondents to rate their vacuum cleaner across six categories:
1. Overall satisfaction
2. Value for money
3. Ease of Use
4. Noise
5. Effectiveness of the clean
6. Size
Taking out the award for overall satisfaction with a near perfect score of five stars in all-but-one category is Shark,
says Bonnar.
“Shark’s customers rated it at the top of a field that includes Miele, Dyson, Bosch, Nilfisk, Electrolux, Hoover and
Kambrook. That’s a great result for a brand that is relatively new to the New Zealand market.”
About the survey
Canstar Blue commissions Research Now to regularly survey 2,500 New Zealand consumers to measure their satisfaction
across a range of products and services. The outcomes reported here are the results from a survey of consumers who have
purchased a vacuum cleaner in the last three years, in this case, 1,103 people. The survey has a margin of error +/- 3%
Age Groups:
Gen Y: 18-29
Gen X: 30-44
Baby Boomers: 45+
*To view the full results of the Canstar Blue survey go to: www.canstarblue.co.nz
About Canstar Blue:
Canstar Blue is a division of financial research and ratings company, CANSTAR, which has been operating in New Zealand for nearly a decade.
Canstar Blue uses market research to determine customer satisfaction ratings across a range of products and services in
New Zealand to help consumers make the best purchasing decisions for their needs. Canstar Blue conducts similar research
in Australia. New ratings are added regularly. Results are freely available to consumers who are encouraged to use the
ratings as a guide to product excellence. The results can be seen at www.canstarblue.co.nz.
About CANSTAR:
Founded in 1992, CANSTAR Pty Limited is Australia and New Zealand's premier researcher of retail finance information for
over 350 institutions such as banks, building societies, credit unions, finance companies, brokers, mortgage
originators, life companies and finance related internet portals. CANSTAR customers use the extensive database for
competitor analysis as well as a means of disseminating their product range. This information is also distributed to
print and electronic media for publication and to agents, accountants, brokers and internet portals for use in advising
their clients.
ENDS