Holiday Shoppers Looking For Deals and Discounts
By Anna Johnson on October 27th, 2009The latest ‘Holiday Forecast Consumer Behavior Report’ from PriceGrabber.com(R) indicates that consumers are responding to the recession by doing more research to find deals online, cutting gift giving, and spending less, among other things.
PriceGrabber’s survey of 2,018 online consumers conducted between September 24, 2009 and October 12, 2009 found that:
- 70 percent of consumers are doing more research and comparison shopping online, compared with 38 percent last year.
- 57 percent are crossing acquaintances off their gift lists, while 53 percent won’t be buying gifts for co-workers (57 percent).
- 29 percent of consumers are planning to purchase gifts for fewer people this year, while only 10 percent did so last year.
- 53 percent plan to spend less than they did last year.
- 36 percent expect to spend between $100 and $499, 28 percent plan to spend $500 to $999, and 30 percent anticipate a holiday spend of $1,000 or more.
- Of those planning to spend less this year, 48 percent say that one of the reasons for this is an increase in prices (necessities, gas, etc.), 45 percent cite lack of confidence in the economy, and 38 percent say it’s due to making less money.
- 22 percent are starting their holiday shopping in October and 29 percent are starting in November.
- 50 percent intend to shop at discount or outlet stores this year, 7 percent more than the 43 percent who did so last year.
