WHAT THE DATA SAY: 36% of Americans say they are or will be participating in boycotts

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:

FROM BACKLASH TO BOYCOTTS

Americans are continuing to change their consumption and spending habits based on brands’ political alignment, according to our Harris Poll survey with The Guardian.

• 20% of Americans support boycotting firms aligning themselves with President Trump’s agenda.
• 36% of Americans say they are or will be participating in boycotts.
• 53% of Gen Z and 46% of Millennials are participating in boycotts (compared with 30% of Gen X and 22% of Boomers).
• 53% of Black Americans and 51% of Hispanic Americans are boycotting, compared with 29% of white Americans.
• Democrats (49%) are far more likely to boycott than Independents (32%) and Republicans (29%).
• The top reasons Americans cite for boycotting are to show companies that consumers have economic power and influence (53%) and to express their dissatisfaction with current government policies (49%).
• 20% say they are changing their consumption habits permanently.

GROWING UP IN 2025

The prevalence of technology in today’s society means young kids are growing up in a world drastically different from the one of their parents’ childhood, according to a new report by Stagwell’s NRG and Young Storytellers.

• Kids and teens interact the most with their friends by hanging out at school (62%), followed by sending text messages (43%), chatting through social media (35%) and sending links to online content (33%).
• The average age at which Gen Alpha is allowed to own a mobile phone is 11.5 (versus 12 for Gen Z and 14.1 for Millennials).
• 64% of kids and teens think technology makes the world better.
• 45% of kids and teens still enjoy talking to friends in-person more than digitally.
• 58% of parents agree it’s harder to raise kids today than in the world they grew up in.
• 58% of parents say they spend “a lot” of time thinking about how to ensure their kids are watching age-appropriate content on social video platforms.
• 49% of parents with kids under 12 strictly enforce a screentime limit for their kids.

SUMMER TRAVEL SURGES

Despite economic concerns, Americans are still planning to travel this summer, according to a Harris Poll survey with The Points Guy.

• 76% of Americans plan to travel this summer.
• 35% plan to travel more in 2025 than last year.
• 71% plan to travel domestically (29% internationally).
• The top international destination are Europe (53%) and Canada or the Caribbean (30%).
• More than half (51%) say they will spend more on travel in 2025 than in previous years.

ALL IN ON MARCH MADNESS

As March Madness kicks into full gear, a new Harris Poll survey explores American’s viewing habits of the tournament and sports as a unifying force.

• 50% of Americans believe watching and playing sports helps them connect with people from different backgrounds.
• 54% plan to follow either the men’s or women’s tournaments this year.
• 18% will follow both the men’s and women’s tournaments.
• 68% of adults aged 18-34 plan to follow at least one tournament.
• 84%  of those following the men’s tournament are excited to see at least one of the top 16 teams succeed.

FUTURE OF NEWS BREAKFAST

Will you be in Washington, D.C. during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner? Please join us on Friday, April 25 from 8:00-10:00am for breakfast and a discussion on the business of news. Email futureofnews@stagwellglobal.com for additional details and to RSVP.

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

• Five Years After Covid, Survey Data Shows Love for Hybrid or Remote Work
• Measuring Up: Understanding the digital marketing needs and priorities of small-to-mid sized business
• 10 Slides on the Redirection Economy by The Harris Poll