Over Seven in Ten Adults Feel that the Economy Is in Bad or Terrible Shape
Those 55 and over have a particularly gloomy view of the economy, with nearly eight in ten (78%) saying that it is in bad shape - including 37% who think it is in terrible shape -- compared 61% of those under 35. Those without a college degree are also more likely to have this pessimistic outlook compared with college graduates (73% vs. 67%).
One Quarter are Concerned about Being Able to Buy Everything they Need
A quarter of adults (24%) are concerned because they don't think they'll be able to buy the things they need in the coming months, while four in ten (40%) say that they should be able to get most of what they need in the coming months, but not be able to afford it all. Only about a third (36%) are not worried about being able to buy all the things they need in the coming months.
Those most likely to be concerned that they will not be able to buy the things they need in the coming months include those without college degrees (29% vs. 15% of college graduates), those who are not married (28% vs. 21% of married adults), those who are not employed (36% vs. 19% of those in full or part-time employment, and 21% of retirees), and those who have a household income of under $50,000 (34% vs. 16% of those with a higher household income). Those in the Midwest (27%), West (26%) and South (24%) are more likely than those living in the Northeast (17%) too worry about not being able to purchase necessities in the coming months.
Women are less likely than are men to believe they will be able to buy everything they need (31% vs. 43% of men). Likewise, a smaller proportion of parents believe they will be able to make their necessary purchases than are those without children in their household (28% vs. 40%).
Despite their dismal views of the economy, nearly half (45%) of adults aged 55 and over are not worried about buying everything they need, compared to only a third of those who are younger (33%).
Some Already Getting Started on Holiday Shopping
Over six in ten adults (61%) usually start their Christmas, Hanukkah, or holiday shopping before Black Friday and Cyber Monday, including one in six (16%) begin their holiday shopping over the summer, including nearly one in ten (9%) who usually start shopping before July. Nearly a quarter (22%) start their holiday shopping in September or October while a similar proportion (23%) waits until early November. Just over one in ten (12%) wait until Black Friday/Cyber Monday, and about one in seven (15%) wait until after Thanksgiving weekend. An additional 12% say that this doesn't apply to them, presumably because they do not do any holiday shopping.
Those most likely to wait for Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals to start shopping include parents (19%) and those under 55 (16%). Those most likely to wait until after Thanksgiving weekend include Northeasterners (23%) and those aged 35 and older (17%).
Majority Usually Finish their Shopping After Black Friday/Cyber Monday Weekend
While most start their shopping early, the majority of adults (54%) say that they usually finish up their shopping sometime between Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend and when they actually give the gift to someone during the holiday season. Women are more likely to say that they usually finish up after Thanksgiving weekend (58% vs. 50% of men), as are college graduates (61% vs. 51% of those without a college degree).
Just over one in ten (12%) say they usually finish their holiday shopping by early November, including nearly one in five (17%) of those 55 and older, and a similar proportion (13%) say they are usually done shopping by the end of Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend. Few (7%) tend to finish their gift shopping before November, including 3% who tend to finish over the summer.
Six in Ten Prefer to Shop In-Store rather than Online
When it comes to where they do their holiday shopping, six in ten (59%) prefer to shop for Christmas, Hanukkah, and holiday items in-store, while three in ten (31%) prefer to shop online for gifts. Roughly one in ten (9%) say this is not applicable to them, including 12% of men and 11% of those without children.
Women (63%), retirees (63%), and those without a college degree (62%) are among those most likely to prefer to shop in-store. In contrast, those most likely to prefer to do their holiday shopping online include college graduates (38%) and those who work full time (40%).
These are some of the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted August 16-20, 2012. For the survey, a national sample of 1,005 adults aged 18 and older from Ipsos' U.S. online panel were interviewed online. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the U.S. adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of 1,005 and a 100% response rate would have an estimated margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points 19 times out of 20 of what the results would have been had the entire adult population in the United States had been polled. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.
For more information on this news release please contact:
Rebecca Sizelove Senior Research Manager Ipsos Public Affairs 212.584.9253 [email protected]
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