Gallup Research on Americans, Shopping and Money

Americans view their money in highly distinct ways according to the findings of a new US Gallup telephone survey. Nearly half (45%) say they enjoy spending money, with 48% also claiming they prefer saving. Surprisingly 44% of men stated they enjoyed shopping, matching the 45% of women of happy spenders.

Americans view their money in highly distinct ways according to the findings of a new US Gallup telephone survey. Nearly half (45%) say they enjoy spending money, with 48% also claiming they prefer saving. Surprisingly 44% of men stated they enjoyed shopping, matching the 45% of women of happy spenders.

Gallup's latest retail findings do much to undermine the stereotype of American women as shopaholics. The data shows that men are just as likely as women to say they enjoy spending money, and to report shopping frequently at department stores and malls, online and at other venues.

In contrast to these striking gender similarities, the survey unearthed large differences in attitudes about money among Americans according to age. The preference for spending money peaks at three fifths (60%) among young adults, dropping steadily through the generations to a low of a third (34%) among those aged 65 plus.

By retail type, shopping by catalogue ranks as the second most popular to store shopping. Six in 10 adults (61%) say that they use catalogues to buy items at least sometimes. By comparison, only two fifths (40%) claim to ever shop on the Internet, and just 17% ever shop through TV home shopping channels. In addition, while most Americans tend to shop in stores on a weekly or monthly basis, the few who use catalogues, the Internet or TV home shopping do so more than a few times a year.

One other finding of note is that Americans with incomes of at least US$75,000 per year are no more likely to report frequent shopping than do those with less income. Also, about a quarter (24%) indicate that, excluding grocery shopping, they shop at least weekly in one venue or another. Another third (37%) shop at least several times a month and an additional third (38%) shop less frequently than that. These results are similar for each of several major income groups.

The survey was conducted on a sample of 1,025 adults between 6 and 8th April this year in the USA.

All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.

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