Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray reports that "all iPods have retained top mindshare with U.S. Retailers."
Tens of MP3 player sales representatives were interviewed about what audio devices they recommend to their customers and for what reasons, in a survey across 50 U.S. retail stores.

The majority of sales representatives recommend the purchase of an Apple iPod, both full size and nano, over other high-end portable audio devices. The percentage of those recommending iPods has increased to 68% from the values reported in the previous survey taken in June 2005, which estimated 63%.

The iPod Shuffle, on the other hand, is slowly loosing grace, the percentage of sales representatives recommending this device falling to 38% from 52% over the same period.

The second most favored manufacturer is Creative Technology. Creative products get recommended instead of the Shuffle, because they come equipped with an FM tuner and a screen.

Of the reasons for recommending iPods, the most common ones were video capability, ease of use, and a vast eco-system of accessories.

"Indirectly, we expect the iPod to continue to be a foundation for growth in other parts of Apple's business, and we expect that by the end of calendar 2005 more than 37 million iPods will have shipped, providing Apple with a greater scope of awareness for various products ('halo' effect)", said Munster.