The survey was conducted across Australia, Canada, India, South Africa, the UK and the US and covered more than 6,000 people.

Wearable technologies can be used for a range of applications like tracking a person's heart rate and calories burned through fitness monitors or enabling consumers to browse the Internet, take digital photos and receive hands- free notifications through Internet-connected eyeglass displays.

"In the past year wearable technologies have emerged as the next big consumer electronics market category, particularly for health and wellness," Lewren said.

To capitalise on this growth opportunity, consumer electronics companies should consider investing in wearable product innovation and industrial design, and building ecosystems that connect wearables to the broader array of interactive digital networks, Lewren said.

Globally, 52 percent respondents said they plan to purchase a smartphone next year, while 40 percent voted for a tablet PC.

Similarly, 41 per cent said they intend to buy a HD TV, 38 per cent a laptop, 25 per cent home game consoles, 23 per cent Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) navigation units and 22 per cent ebook readers.

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