WHAT THE DATA SAY: What's on Santa's list? Clothes and gift cards are on top for most Americans

By: Ray Day

CONTACT:

Ray Day
ray.day@stagwellglobal.com 

We wanted to share our latest consumer and business insights, based on research from Stagwell. Among the highlights of our weekly consumer sentiment tracking:

2 IN 5 STILL FINISHING HOLIDAY SHOPPING

Holiday shopping is in the home-stretch – and this weekend’s Super Saturday is expected to be a banner day. What are we buying? Clothing and accessories are at the top, followed closely by gift cards, according to our Harris Poll survey with Retail Brew.

• Among shoppers polled this past week, 2 in 5 still were shopping for all or most of their gifts.
• What are they shopping for? Clothes and accessories are at top (60%), followed by gift cards (58%), toys (44%), personal care and beauty items (38%), electronics (37%), books, video games and media (36%), and food and beverages (35%).
• The people who procrastinated rely on retailers’ websites (63%), directly from brands (43%) and social media (31%).
• Overall this season, 19% said they exclusively shopped online, and 8% only shopped in stores.

ECONOMIC VIEW DIPS BACK

Americans are slightly more negative on the economy and its outlook versus a month ago, according to our most recent poll with the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard University.

• 32% say the country is on the right track (down from 35% a month ago), and 33% say the economy is on the right track (down from 35% a month ago).
• A third of the country (33%, up 3 points from the prior month) list price increases and inflation as the country’s top issue, followed by immigration (28%, up 3 points), economy and jobs (23%), guns (18%) and crime and drugs (18%). Concerns about the Israel-Hamas conflict is at 7%, down 5 points from the prior month.

2023’S TOP SURVEY TRENDS

From a boom in pre-nuptial agreements and tuning out news coverage for mental health to the significant rise in the influence of grandmothers, Americans voted with their voices, actions and opinions in 2023.

• The Harris Poll looked at the top 12 research trends this year at this link.
• Stagwell’s National Research Group – in the spirit of the new year and unpacking “What’s NEXT” – contextualized some of the existential questions at the cultural forefront at this link.

READY TO TALK REPUTATION AND RISK AT CES?

We have spent a lot of time focusing on risk and reputation this year, and Stagwell has been sharing what we’re seeing through our expanded crisis team. This includes addressing when companies should speak out, the role of corporate purpose today and the major wedge issues to expect during the 2024 U.S. election cycle.

• As a next step in sharing our research and insights, we are continuing the reputation and risk discussion at CES on Wednesday, Jan. 10.
• Let us know if you would like to be included by reaching out at ces2024@stagwellglobal.com.

ICYMI

In case you missed it, check out some of the thought-leadership and happenings around Stagwell making news:

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• Generative AI Adoption High; Most Trying to Achieve Better Productivity, Customer Engagement
• FTX Collapsed in 2022 – Will the Crypto Exchange Recover?
• Survey Sheds Light on How Leaders Can Earn America’s Trust