San Diego — Fitbit is the early leader in the market for digital fitness trackers with nearly 40 percent of the market, according to new research by Parks Associates.
Results of the market research were announced in advance of the firm’s Connected Health Summit: Engaging Consumers, to be held Sept. 4-5, here. The 2Q 2014 survey of more than 5,000 U.S. broadband households found that Fitbit is far ahead of its closest competitors, Samsung (14 percent), Nike+ Sensor (14 percent), and Nike Fuelband (8 percent).
“Slightly more than 6 percent of U.S. broadband households have a digital pedometer or fitness tracker, so this market is still in the early stages of adoption,” said Harry Wang, Parks’ director of health and mobile product research. “Fitbit’s early success highlights several key factors for success in this market, including fashionable design, integration with mobile devices, and a variety of model options. At Connected Health Summit, executives from top companies in the wearables space will discuss leading techniques both to drive adoption and keep consumers engaged.”
Parks Associates analysts offered advice on how suppliers can achieve long-term success in the digital fitness tracker industry with the following strategies:
* Standardize measurements of fitness progress and simplify the fitness management process;
* Enrich the user experience by tracking other elements of healthy living; and
* Introduce fitness management and coaching services to deepen user engagement and demonstrate value.
Parks digital health research shows that 2 percent of U.S. broadband households purchased a smart watch in 2013, with another 4 percent very likely to purchase a smart watch in the next 12 months.
Connected trackers will account for 52 percent of all digital fitness tracker unit sales in 2014 and reach 81 percent by 2018, totaling 66 million units.
The Connected Health Summit will focus on four areas of consumer health technologies in particular, which all require active consumer participation to be successful: remote health monitoring for accountable care, consumer-centric wellness and fitness solutions, independent living technologies and services, and innovative convenience care models. It will take place at the Omni Hotel in San Diego.
To register go to http://www.connectedhealthsummit.com. The event can be followed on Twitter @CONN_Health_Smt.
