Amazon 2006: An X-Ray of American Consumerism

Amazon.com Announces "Best of 2006 List"

SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dec. 28, 2006–Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) today released its "Best Of 2006 List" which includes the bestselling, most positively reviewed, most wished-for and favorite gift products as determined by Amazon.com customers in 2006.

Bestselling Products

The following is a list of the bestselling products on Amazon.com in 2006 by total units sold:

Books: Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap ... and Others Don't by Jim Collins (((probably because the leaping companies are working instead of reading biz bestsellers))))

Music: Taking The Long Way by Dixie Chicks (((proof that in the long run it pays to despise George Bush)))

DVD: Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

Software: World of Warcraft (((Warcrack claims ever more hordes of the newly desocialized undead)))

Electronics: Apple iPods (various) (((America's tastiest DRM scheme)))

Home & Garden: Calphalon Commercial Hard-Anodized 12-Inch Everyday Pan with Lid

Health & Personal Care: Pampers Cruisers (various sizes)

Grocery: Senseo Douwe Egberts Dark Roast Coffee Pods (((I have never before heard of these things. They are clearly the hit of the season. Guess I'd better google 'em)))

Computer & Video Games: Nintendo DS Lite - Polar White

Automotive: Sylvania DOT-it Self-Adhesive Bright White LED Light (((lower your carbon footprint)))

Apparel & Accessories: Levi's(R) 501(R) Button Fly Jeans (((When did these silly things come back into vogue, I wonder; could this be the end of baggy GenX elephant-legged cargo pants?)))

Shoes: Rockport Men's Clarksdale Oxford (((a thoroughly sensible shoe for the mature, Amazon-cruising geek)))

Sports & Outdoors: Razor A Kick Scooter (((Razor scooters? Is this 1993?)))

Jewelry: 14k White Gold, Round, Diamond Stud Earrings

Watches: Bulova Women's Diamond Bezel Chronograph Watch (((the Bush Administration was a period drenched in bling-bling)))

Beauty: Bare Escentuals Get Started Kit

Baby: Contoured Changing Pad (((children of the Echo Boom)))

Toys: Radica 20 Questions

Most-Loved Products

The following is a list of products that were reviewed most positively by Amazon.com customers in 2006:

Books: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1) by J.K. Rowling (((the ultimate ironing-board novel phenomemon)))

Music: Josh Groban by Josh Groban

DVD: Mean Girls (Full Screen Edition) (((proof that teen girls still buy movies)))

Electronics: Sony DSCF707 Cyber-shot 5MP Digital Still Camera w/ 5x Optical Zoom

Home & Garden: Microplane Grater/Zester

Health & Personal Care: Omron HJ-112 Digital Premium Pedometer (((There must be some kind of freaky geolocative tie-in here; I can't believe people are all that thrilled about a pedometer)))

Computer & Video Games: Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)

Apparel & Accessories: Lee Jeans Women's Missy One True Fit Basic Flare (((flared jeans are selling? Yike. Is that a "one true fit" for today's hordes of the morbidly obese?)))

Automotive: Actron CP9125 PocketScan Diagnostic Code Scanner for OBDII (Post-1996) Vehicles (((That sounds pretty weird.)))

Watches: Invicta Men's Automatic Pro Diver S2 Watch #8926 (((for deck-punching geeks who really need that pro-diver performance in a timepiece)))

Beauty: Aquolina Pink Sugar

Toys: Fisher Price Learning Home

Baby: Healthy Care Booster Seat

Grocery: Senseo Douwe Egberts Dark Roast Coffee Pods (((There it is again... coffee PODS? not merely popular pods, but intensely beloved pods)))

Most Wished-For Products

The following is a list of products that appeared most often on the Wish Lists of Amazon.com customers in 2006:

Books: Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt (((Wanted it, didn't bother to buy it)))

Music: Taking The Long Way by Dixie Chicks (((wanted it bad, was afraid my big brother the heavily armed dixiecrat neocon would beat me up for listening to it)))

DVD: Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

Electronics: Apple 30 GB iPod with Video Playback Black (5th Generation) (((for those who need REALLY THIN devices with REALLY SMALL video screens)))

Home & Garden: AeroGrow AeroGarden Garden Kit, Black (((drop in some hemp seeds, come back six months later, hydroponic buds)))

Health & Personal Care: Philips Norelco BG2020 Men's Bodygroom

Computer & Video Games: Nintendo Wii (((a society that can breed a hit toy mania has not yet despaired of life)))

Software: The Sims 2: Open for Business expansion pack (((come home from your day job and enjoy yourself pretending that you have a day job)))

Tools & Hardware: Black & Decker AAW100 8-Inch Auto Wrench

Apparel & Accessories: cashmere pashmina shawls

Sports & Outdoors: Baby Einstein Discover & Play Activity Gym (((what if they go into the "Baby Einstein Gym" and all come out as Zionists?)))

Jewelry & Watches: Sterling Silver Open Double Flower Pendant, 18"

Beauty: Bare Escentuals Get Started Kit - Fairly Light/Light

Most Popular Gift Products

The following is a list of products most frequently purchased as gifts by Amazon.com customers in 2006:

Books: The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream by Barack Obama (((I'm betting the lad peaks early)))

Music: Duets: An American Classic by Tony Bennett (((Tony Bennett, classic gift for your grandparents)))

DVD: Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man's Chest (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) (((and people wonder where Disney gets the money for all those IP lawsuits)))

Electronics: Apple 30 GB iPod with Video Playback

Home & Garden: Weber 87886 Chimney Starter

Health & Personal Care: Omron HJ-112 Digital Premium Pedometer (((Wow, mom, a PEDOMETER!! Thanx!)))

Computer & Video Games: Xbox 360 Console (20GB)

Tools & Hardware: Black & Decker AAW100 8-Inch Auto Wrench

Software: Microsoft Flight Simulator X Deluxe DVD (CD)

Apparel & Accessories: MIR Women's Kimo Cashmere 12x60 Woven Scarf

Sports & Outdoors: Razor A Kick Scooter

Jewelry: Sterling Silver Open Double Flower Pendant, 18"

Watches: Invicta Men's Automatic Pro Diver S2 Watch #8926

Automotive: LifeHammer Original Emergency Hammer (((Did you ever *know* anyone who beat their way out of a car's windows with an emergency hammer? A Saint Christopher's medal would do as much good.)))

Beauty: Burt's Bees Head To Toe Starter Kit (((all-natural cosmetics to make you look and smell like a carefree hippie chick, only one with self-esteem issues who is hung-up on beauty aids)))

Shoes: Disney Cars Toddler Boys' McQueen Slipper (((say that three times and try not to laugh)))

Toys: IlluStory: Write and Illustrate Your Own Book! (((hey, it works for me.)))

Baby: Ocean Wonders Aquarium Bouncer

(((and, last but by no means least)))

Grocery: Senseo Douwe Egberts Dark Roast Coffee Pods

Coffeepod