Holiday Consumers Spent More Than Anticipated.

The typical household spent $1130 for holiday gifts, up from an anticipated spending amount of $863 when polled in October, according to the International Mass Retail Association’s fifth and final weekly holiday shopping survey.

Men reported spending a higher amount ($1,408) for their households than women ($880). Regionally, those in the Northeast spent the most ($1,029) and those in the Midwest, the least ($776).

U.S. shoppers continued to favor discount department stores over any other type of retail outlet during the 2001 holiday season. One-third of shoppers surveyed December 28-30 said they had their best holiday shopping experience at a discount department store (35%) — compared with 20 percent who named traditional department stores.

“With the Federal Government granting a day off on Christmas Eve, consumers had a three day weekend to finish up their last minute Christmas shopping,” said President Robert J. Verdisco. “Mass retailers were prepared as last minute shoppers made up for lost time and looked for excellent buys, product selection and convenience.”

The majority of those surveyed said they completed their shopping the week before December 25 (35%), while 22 percent said they finished on Christmas Eve.

For the most part, consumers were satisfied with the gifts they were given this year; 67 percent do not plan to return any. Not every gift hits the mark; 12 percent of shoppers are returning one gift from this latest holiday season, while 19 percent are returning a few.

“Spending more, returning less, and shopping at discount department stores is very good news for the mass retail sector,” said Mr. Verdisco.

For more information at http://www.imra.org

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