Consumer Behavior

Majority (54%) of RRSP Contributors Are Expecting Positive Rates of Return in 2004
One-Third (35%) of Canadians Willing to Take Some Risk in Order to Achieve Higher Returns...Up Smartly 10 Points Over Last Year

Eight-in-Ten (79%) British Columbians Approve Of Santa Claus' Performance Over Past Year

Hottest Gifts This Year Are Cell Phones, Video/Computer Games And Video Game Consoles

British Columbians Expect To Spend An Average Of $702 On Gifts This Holiday Season

Majority (55%) Say They'll Spend Same Amount As Last Year; 24% Less - 19% More

Annual RBC Royal Bank Survey Shows Canadians Back On Track After Drop In 2002

Low-cost Airlines Seen As A Viable Alternative For Business Travellers

Business Travel Market Still Off Pre-9/11 Levels By 13-15%

Less Than Half (48%) Of Financial Decision-Makers Have "Structured Their Debt So They Pay The Lowest Amount Possible"
Three-Quarters (75%) "Consider Their Debt Payments To Be A Part Of Their Day-To-Day Living Expenses"

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Three Quarters (74%) Of Canadians Think Microwave Is Important Day-To-Day Cooking Tool...More Than Half (56%)Use Microwave Mostly To Reheat

Personal Economic Outlook, "Big-Ticket" And Everyday Spending Intentions Also Dampen Index
However, Fundamentals Still In Place As Canadians Give National Economic Outlook Thumbs Up For Now and Future With Home Purchase Intentions, Low Job Anxiety Fuelling Confidence

Canadians Expect To Spend Close To $1,500 This Year On Gifts, Decorations, Food, And More
Six In Ten (58%) Don't Budget And Spend As They Go...Four In Ten (38%) Are Last-Minute Shoppers