There it is…courtesy of Google Trends.
I wrote in detail in the current issue of Scrapbook Business magazine (you can read my article in the magazine by clicking on that link and viewing the magazine issue) about how to use Google Trends to get market information for your business. It can be a great tool to get detailed data on market trends as they are reflected in web searches on Google.
The chart above is a “macro” snapshot of the changing state of the scrapbook industry in the past 4 years as reflected in the number of web searches around the globe for the words “scrapbook” and “scrapbooking” and the number of news stories about those words.The bottom of the chart – news reference volume – does show steady upward trending. But it is not nearly as important as the top part of the chart: search volume.
The 2008 search volume chart is ugly. It shows this year starting at the lowest point of any of the past four years and then trending steadily downward with barely any of the usual spring leveling or summer upward trend.
And that is one ugly trend to anyone who is involved in the scrapbook business.
As a consumer, I am spending at least as much and probably 10-15 percent more. I just have to travel about an hour unless I want to do mass market. If I can get it local, I will. I prefer the interaction of buying from a person. But if the store doesn’t have it or won’t order it for me (pre paid no less) I go internet. And this is what is happening more and more. Honestly, I don’t think some of the local stores are interested anymore.
I can understand why this would indicate a lack of new people entering the hobby. However, I’m still active in scrapbooking but now that I have my favorite sites bookmarked, I really don’t search for any new ones. Now I find out about new things through message boards & sites like this.
Have you taken the recession in consideration? I know that I am not buying anything for scrapbooking except for adhesives; I am using my big stash of supplies until we can afford to spend the money on hobby stuff.
I think that is bad news. I believe that many hobby sales are down because many people are seeing a crunch in funds. I would love to see more people embracing scrapbooking and these graphs are indication that we aren’t getting as many new people into the hobby as before. Now to ponder how to attract those newbies?!
I have to agree with both sides. The economy has and does effect everything! Some Scrap’ers have had to adjusted the amount they are buying while others still use credit or purachse just as much because they are able to. However Scrapbooking is ‘quote’ an extra. Yet with GAS prices getting lower and lower … now it’s more cost effective to actually get the the ScrapSTORES! Yipee, you can still scrap-economically and end up with quality pages — look at my site it’s my moto I do it and I help others learn how to do it! The proof is in the pudding. On average a doublel layout can range from $4 to $8 and up. You pace yourself – scrap what inspires you – shop with your photos in a zip lock bag that way your buying what you can use. Scrapbooking is here to stay, ENJOY!
I agree with Christy. I used to search all the time for scrapbook related items/articles, but I don’t have to anymore becuase 1) I have an on-line “home” where I post all my projects 2) I find things through links others have on their blog or in a chat room and 3) I have a ton of links in my favorites. I do understand that people are not spending quite as much, but for the most part, when they do buy online, they already have a store or two saved in their favorites.