Quiet Time at Home Continues into New Year for Puget Sound Residents

Seattle, WA - Following a survey in December that found residents spending a quiet Christmas holiday at home, a new survey conducted by Ipsos MarketQuest found that half (50%) of area residents also planned to spend a quiet New Year's at home, celebrating with family. Another 16% did not intend to celebrate the new year at all; despite the fact that 2013 seemed to be a better year than 2012 for most residents. A similar survey in 2012, found that 30% of area residents rated the year favorably (using a top box score of 8, 9 and 10 on a 10-point scale). This year, 40% of area residents rated 2013 favorably.

Residents remain optimistic heading into the next year, as well, with almost half (46%) saying that they are optimistic about 2014 (again, using a top box score of 8, 9 and 10 on a 10-point scale). And maybe it's because they are making more plans for the new year. While 83% indicated they did not make any New Year's resolutions for 2013, only 37% indicate they are not making resolutions or setting goals for 2014.

The most popular resolutions center around getting healthier, including 39% who vow to exercise more, 27% to lose weight, and 25% to eat healthy foods. Residents are also considering working on their finances, with 16% resolving to save more money and 15% wanting to get out of debt in 2014.

"It's been interesting tracking the holiday activities of area residents over the year. While some holidays prompt folks to travel, it's clear the end of year holidays are more about staying at home and being with loved ones," says Mary Kaye O'Brien, Vice President and Managing Director with Ipsos MarketQuest in Seattle.

These are the findings of an Ipsos MarketQuest survey fielded from December 19 to 31, 2013. This online survey of 197 Puget Sound residents was conducted using Ipsos MarketQuest's exclusive "Voice of the Northwest" panel - an online panel of more than 2,000 Puget Sound area citizens. Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online studies of this nature, however, an unweighted probability sample of this size, with a 100% response rate, would have an estimated margin of error of +/- 7.00 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. Please refer to Detailed Tables 2: 2013-2014 study data for more information.

The previous study results discussed are the findings of an Ipsos MarketQuest survey fielded from December 11 to 31, 2012. This online survey of 187 Puget Sound residents was conducted using Ipsos MarketQuest's exclusive "Voice of the Northwest" panel - an online panel of more than 2,000 Puget Sound area citizens. Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online studies of this nature, however, an unweighted probability sample of this size, with a 100% response rate, would have an estimated margin of error of +/- 7.20 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. Please refer to Detailed Tables 1: 2012-2013 study data for more information.

For more information on this news release please contact:

Mary Kaye O'Brien Vice President Ipsos MarketQuest 425-586-5589 [email protected]

About Ipsos

Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. In October 2011 Ipsos completed the acquisition of Synovate. The combination forms the world's third largest market research company.

With offices in 85 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across six research specializations: advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, public affairs research, and survey management.

Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of e1,789 billion (2.300 billion USD) in 2012.