Middleclass Consumers Increase Spending On Luxury Services.

One quarter of American households have a housekeeper or cleaning service, according to a new study released by Socratic Technologies. “Luxury” personal services such as housekeepers, landscapers, massage therapists, and others are increasingly being used by middle class Americans, indicative of an ongoing trend of spending on “luxury” indulgences among the middle class. The study, U.S. Consumer Luxury Services Outlook, examined the use of and spending on an assortment of personal services among U.S. households. Other findings of the study include:

— 15% of households use a landscaping service
— 16% of survey respondents use a massage therapist
— 4% use a personal chef

Among high income households the use of these services is even higher, with half of all respondents earning over $150,000 per year using a housekeeper and 40% using a landscaping service. Among those earning less than $50,000 per year, there were still 6% of households with a cleaning service.

“One of the surprising findings was that even households at the lower end of the income spectrum are using these services, although in lower numbers than their wealthier counterparts,” remarked Ed Erickson, Senior Vice President of Socratic Technologies. “The average of $200 to $250 spent on these services per month represents a significant expense for lower income households,” he added.

Use of personal services isn’t limited to the two-legged members of the household. The study also found that 14% of all households with dogs use a dog walking service. An additional 14% bring their four-legged friends to “doggy” day care. Spending on these services averages almost $400 per month.

For more information at http://www.sotech.com