Holiday Shopping Behaviors by the Numbers

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RISMEDIA, Nov. 28, 2007-The holiday shopping season once again makes its triumphant debut, with door buster deals, festive décor and retailers eagerly awaiting the big crowds. General Growth Properties, Inc. recently conducted a survey to take the pulse of consumers ready to “shop ‘til they drop.”

Weekday Shoppers

65% of consumers plan to do their holiday shopping Monday through Thursday.

Happy Holidays!

On average, consumers shop for eight people.

No Procrastinating!

Last minute shoppers are the minority, with only seven percent making a mad dash to purchase holiday gifts.

Forty-two percent of respondents planned to get a jump start and purchase holiday gifts before Thanksgiving.

Field Trip to the Mall

More than half of consumers 25 and under expect to spend their total holiday budget at the mall.

Nearly 60% of parents with children under 18 years old will bring their kids to visit the mall Santa.

Fifty-four percent of consumers take in the holiday décor and festivities at the mall.

Dollars and Sense

On average, consumers spend $800 on holiday gifts.

Consumers will try to avoid holiday debt, with 69% using cash, debit card or check to pay for holiday purchases.

Holiday’s ‘Hot’ Item

The popularity of the gift card continues to rise, with 75% of consumers having bought or received a gift card over the holidays.

Real or Fake?

Sixty percent of consumers plan to have an artificial Christmas tree versus 26% who will put up a real tree.

Re-gifters Have Good Hearts

Only 43% confess to re-gifting presents, but seven percent were actually caught in the act.

Fifty-five percent of those who re-gift say they did so because they thought someone would enjoy the present more, versus 34% who stated they just didn’t like the gift.

Trouble Makers

Forty percent say mom and dad are the hardest to shop for.

Women are significantly more likely to struggle with shopping for a spouse/significant other (25% versus 19% respectively).

Fido’s Not Forgotten

On average, consumers will spend $20 on their furry loved ones.

General Growth Properties Inc. conducted an e-survey with more than 1,000 respondents in September 2007. The survey has a margin of error of ± 3%.

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