Port Washington, NY (Vocus) 6 October 2010

U.S. consumersâ? Spending intentions, 2010 vs 2009

2010 2009

plan to more than 9% to 11% spend

plan to spend about the same thing 61% 59%

plan to less than 30% and 30% spend

Source: NPD Group, Inc. / Annual Holiday Survey

say the majority of consumers say they plan to spend about the same as last year, 61 per cent this year by 2 percentage points since last year. About a third of respondents say they want to spend less, that is to say the same as last year, and only 9 percent said they plan to spend more money to 2 points from 2009

.

â? Even if the recession is technically over, are continuing concerns that consumers hold in a cautious mood, â? said Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at NPD Group, Inc. â? We see what I make a call? consumption.â calculated? and I think it is a consumer mind-set that will be around for the Christmas season is> over.â ???? Evidence

consumersâ? thoughtful and cautious approach of the holiday could be the fact that 62 percent of consumers say they plan to do some kind? Homework? before buying. Nearly 44 percent of consumers say they are comparing before purchasing a gift shop. Thirty-seven percent say they will use advertisements or circulars, say their purchases of gifts guide, and 33 percent, they will compare prices online before shopping in a store.

â? This means consumers will be looking to buy to find out what they buy and where to leave the house before a purchase? Cohen said. â? This eliminates the hasty decisions and to possibly eliminate some of the momentum equation.â Christmas shopping?

The most important factor on which consumers will buy gifts this year is? Price? (60 percent). â? Special sale price? Second was at 58 percent, followed by a? locationà practice? by almost 47 percent.

In almost every category this year there was a decline in purchases intended.

Top 10 of the consumer elements of the plan to purchase a gift, 2010 vs 2009

2010 2009

1 Clothing 42% 49%

2 Toys 32% 34%

3 Movies / DVD 24% 29%

4 books 23% 28%

5 Electronics (TVs, home theater / DVD player burner / audio products for the home, satellite radio, GPS systems, mobile phones, PCs / laptops, computer peripherals, cameras, digital video, MP3 player) 16% 24%

6 accessories (bags, small personal accessories, watches) 16% 22%

7 video game systems or video games 15% 20%

8 Food 15% 18%

9 Music 14% 21%

10 fragrances 13% 19%

Source: NPD Group, Inc. / Annual Holiday Survey

this year, as in recent years, the clothing is to give up on the list item number one gift, and then again through the toys in second place.

â? In clothing, I think it is important to note that the decline of the intentions doesnâ? t necessarily a decline in sales of clothing, â? Cohen noted â? Consumers tend to rely on them? old faithful? Terms such as clothes, especially if there is no â? newa? Or elements? Hota? Categories. And so far there are only few updates repeats the same old product. This can? Want to havea? Article, but there arenâ t is a â? must havea? Article, at least not yet.â?

â? Also this year is the real challenge of lack of novelty and excitement, â? Cohen observed, â? The brands will gradually learn from the mistakes of the recent past and the boom of the excitement in their product offerings. And again, look for retailers to light for these products are consumersâ? spend passion that holiday.â?

Source: The NPD Holiday Survey of buying intentions, the members of the online consumer NPD 7th September to 15 September 2010 sent. The survey was conducted in a representative sample of the United States and the results presented here represent 2003 completed questionnaires. NDP maintains an online panel of nearly 2 million consumers who are on their purchasing habits.

About The NPD Group, Inc.

The NPD Group is the leading provider of reliable and comprehensive consumer and retail information for a wide range of industries. Today, more than 1,800 manufacturers, distributors and service companies rely on NPD to perform business-critical decisions in the global market to help national and local level. NPD helps our clients to identify new business opportunities and guide product development, marketing, sales, merchandising and other functions. The information is for the following areas: automotive, beauty, commercial, consumer technology, entertainment, fashion, food and beverage, catering, home, office supplies, software, sports, toys, and wireless. For more information, visit us http://www.npd.com/ or follow us on Twitter at https: / / twitter.com / Marshal Cohen and https: / / twitter.com / npdfashion. Become a fan of Marshal Cohen and http://www.facebook.com/npdmarshalcohen them on YouTube.

CONTACT:

Beth Boyle

The NPD Group, Inc.

516-625-4603

Beth (dot) Boyle (at) npd com (dot)

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