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Margie Cader, 647.242.9818
press@shopittome.com
CONSUMERS SPEND LESS, BUT STILL SPLURGE ON SPECIAL ITEMS
-New Survey Finds That Certain Accessories May Be Recession-Proof-
San Francisco, CA, June 15, 2009-Consumers may have reduced their overall
spending in the current recession, but one place many women simply refuse to cut
back is on shoes and handbags.
That's according to a just-completed Shopping Habits Survey conducted by
Shop It To Me (www.shopittome.com), a free online personal shopper for clothing
sales. More than 900 women from across the U.S. participated in the survey.
While half of all respondents said they are spending less overall on clothing
and accessories, 34% are still splurging on great shoes and 22% are willing to
spend extra on the perfect handbag.
Not surprisingly, the survey found that most shoppers do look for good deals.
In fact, only 11% of respondents reported paying full price more often than not,
while 22% said they always buy on sale. The remaining two-thirds of respondents
indicated that, although they occasionally pay full-price, they look for
bargains most of the time.
What constitutes a bargain these days? At least 40% or more off regular price,
said the overwhelming majority of survey respondents. In fact, 27% insist on
discounts of 50% or more. Only 7% consider the traditional 20%-off sale a good
deal.
In today's economy, shopping on sale seems to be a source of pride: 80% report
that they are eager to share details of the great deal they scored when someone
offers a compliment on a clothing item purchased on sale. (The other 20% like
to let their friends think they paid full price!)
Sale shoppers continue to hunt both online and in-store for those great deals.
And, while many respondents are convinced that they find the best deals online,
they don't like to pay for shipping. Fully 75% say they won't spend more than
$10 on shipping charges.
Finally, when it comes to online shopping, 63% of respondents admit to doing it
while at work-even though 20% say they have to sneak to do so!
The Shopping Habits survey was conducted online during the week of June 1 among
Shop It To Me subscribers from across the U.S. There were 940 respondents.
Selected questions and responses from the survey follow. Results can also be
viewed at http://blog.shopittome.com/.
Selected Survey Questions and Responses
(Total Respondents = 940)
Are you spending more or less money on clothing/accessories than last year?
49% -- Spending less
35% -- Spending about the same
16% -- Spending more
What are you still splurging on*?
34% -- Shoes
22% -- Handbags
15% -- Work clothing
12% -- Formal wear
10% -- Jewelry
4% -- Jackets/outerwear
38% -- Not splurging on anything
When was the last time you bought a full-priced item of clothing?
22% -- Never pay full price
28% -- Several months ago
39% -- Recently
11% -- I buy full-price more often than sale
What is the minimum percentage off that you consider a good deal?
6% -- 70% off or more
21% -- 50% off
36% -- 40% off
30% -- 30% off
7% -- 20% off
Do you shop online while at work?
14% -- Yes, and I ship my boxes here, too.
29% -- Yes, but I ship my boxes to home
19% -- Yes, but secretly!
37% -- No!
*Respondents asked to "select all that apply"
Shop It To Me (www.shopittome.com) is a free online personal shopper for
clothing sales. It lets subscribers know when brands they love first become
marked down in their sizes at the online shops of major and boutique retailers.
Shop It To Me scours the Web sites of more than 100 leading retailers to find
out what's on sale and then sends its 2 million users personalized emails
(SaleMail(tm)) with product images, pricing and links. Founded in 2004 by
Charlie Graham, a serial entrepreneur and avid sale shopper, Shop It To Me is
privately held and headquartered in San Francisco.
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