ST. LOUIS, MO -- 11/10/09 --
Most local shoppers plan to maintain their
holiday gift-giving lists at the same number of people this year despite
the economic downturn, but most also plan to cut their gift budgets by
seeking out discounts and less expensive presents, according to a new
holiday spending poll conducted by the AAA Missouri Marketing Research
Department.
The online survey of 400 members of AAA Missouri, which includes residents
of Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, also revealed that 43
percent of local holiday shoppers plan to spend less than $500 on gifts,
and 78 percent plan to spend $1,000 or less.
Also, 29 percent of those surveyed said that this year they planned to
change their usual shopping habits by clipping coupons and/or using a
discount program such as AAA Discounts to save money on gifts.
"The economic downturn is leading local consumers to be more careful with
their holiday gift shopping budgets by planning to use coupons and
discounts such as those available through AAA membership," said Mike Right,
senior vice president of public affairs for AAA Missouri. "AAA's Show Your
Card and Save program has added several new retailers this year that
already provide discounted prices, such as the Gap Outlet stores and
Kmart.com, allowing members to save even more when gift shopping."
Popular techniques for saving money this holiday shopping season, according
to the holiday spending poll, are:
1) Finding less expensive gifts (36 percent)
2) Doing more research to make sure of getting the best price (35 percent)
3) Ordering online to take advantage of free shipping for gifts that must
be mailed (32 percent)
4) Using store coupons and/or obtaining discounts through programs such as
AAA Discounts (29 percent)
5) Shopping more at discount stores (29 percent)
6) Buying the same amount for the kids but cutting back on the amount spent
on adults (15 percent)
Even though nearly two-thirds of those in the AAA Missouri survey planned
to do at least some holiday shopping online, the poll revealed that
shoppers still plan to spend 57 percent of their gift budgets in retail
stores.
The most popular holiday shopping destinations for local consumers this
year, according to the poll, will be discount stores (82 percent), followed
by retail department stores (65 percent), online retailers (64 percent),
shopping mall stores (54 percent), electronics stores (50 percent),
membership stores (43 percent) and home improvement stores (27 percent).
Just six percent of those surveyed planned to do at least some holiday
shopping at a luxury brand or upscale department store.
The most popular items on gift-buyers' lists this year are both gift cards
and apparel/ accessories (both 68 percent), followed by books (54 percent),
toys (50 percent), DVDs/videos (45 percent), consumer electronics (41
percent), video games (33 percent), music (27 percent), jewelry (24
percent), and computer hardware/software (22 percent).
"With the exception of gift cards, AAA members can take advantage of deep
discounts on all the most popular gift categories through AAA Discounts'
participating businesses such as New York & Company, many outlet stores
like Banana Republic and Reebok outlets, and online retailers through the
AAA Discounts shopping link, www.AAA.com/discounts, including
BarnesandNoble.com, BlueNile.com jewelers, DELL and Target.com," Right
said.
More information about AAA discounts is available at www.AAA.com/discounts
or at any AAA Missouri office.
CONTACT:
Mike Right
(314) 523-7350 x6300
