KBB: high gas prices changing shopping habits in U.S.
While AAA says that Memorial Day motor vehicle travel won't be affected by high gas prices, KBB has found that the "meh" attitude doesn't transfer to consumer shopping behaviors. The main changes are that Americans are shopping less, eating in more and altering new vehicle-buying decisions. Actually, put all that in the future tense. KBB says that, "a majority of consumers plan to take steps to combat the hit to their wallets. According to the latest Kelley Blue Book Marketing Research study on gas price effects, half of new vehicle shoppers plan to purchase less retail items such as clothes and shoes, more than a third plan to eat out less often, and another third plan to buy less media entertainment items as long as gas prices continue to squeeze their wallets. Luxuries like a night out on the town, music sales, as well as movie ticket sales could all experience declines through the summer when gas prices are expected to top $4 a gallon" (emphasis added).
The details can be found in KBB's press release after the jump, but the trick with all of these studies about consumer behavior is that it's easy to tell a survey-taker that you're going to change your ways, but then what happens when it's Memorial Day and you want to go camping? Apparently, you just go. And shoppers have been more into hybrids for a while now, getting ready for $4 gas. $4, huh? It's like some sort of alternate reality.
Related:
- How much!? Gas prices shoot past Katrina-level records to new high
- Look out road, here we come. High gas prices won't stop Memorial Day travel
[Source: Kelley Blue Book]
Latest Study Shows High Gas Prices Affecting Consumer Shopping Behavior
Consumers Alter New Vehicle-Buying Decisions, Shop and Eat Out Less Often Due to High Gas Prices
IRVINE, Calif., May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- With gas prices reaching their highest level in recent history, $3.10 a gallon for regular unleaded, a majority of consumers plan to take steps to combat the hit to their wallets. According to the latest Kelley Blue Book Marketing Research study on gas price effects, half of new vehicle shoppers plan to purchase less retail items such as clothes and shoes, more than a third plan to eat out less often, and another third plan to buy less media entertainment items as long as gas prices continue to squeeze their wallets. Luxuries like a night out on the town, music sales, as well as movie ticket sales could all experience declines through the summer when gas prices are expected to top $4 a gallon.
When it comes to shopping for their next new vehicle, nearly six out of 10 new-vehicle shoppers (59 percent) say that the upward trend in gas prices has either changed their mind about the vehicle they are considering buying or are strongly considering the purchase of a vehicle they normally would not have considered
With the quick rise in gas prices and expectations for even higher prices heading into the summer, only a small few are not yet fazed, while others plan to do more research before they buy a new vehicle. Twenty-seven percent of in-market new-vehicle shoppers said that current gas prices are having little or no effect on the vehicle they are planning to purchase. Fourteen percent of vehicle shoppers say higher prices did not have an effect on their decisions because they were already planning to buy a fuel-efficient vehicle. Forty-one percent of those participating in the survey say that if gas prices rise an additional 25 cents above current levels, they too will start researching vehicles they would not normally have considered.
"These results make it clear that American consumers are more than willing to make changes in their buying decisions due to rising gas prices," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst at Kelley Blue Book. "This will have negative implications for the domestic manufacturers as they are perceived as building low mileage vehicles and will therefore be an issue the new ownership of Chrysler will have to deal with immediately to assist in the turn-around of that company."
About Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
WearIt.com 4:59PM (6/24/2008)
While a bit dated, surprising how this article still rings true. With the average price of regular gasoline now over $4.00 a gallon, high gas prices continue to evolve consumer behavior. One interesting change is the shift of shoppers from local to online malls. An iCongo and Harris Interactive survey in April '08 discovered that 33% of US adults are more likely to shop online because of higher gas prices. As more shoppers move online, it will be interesting to see how free shipping coupons (http://www.wearit.com/coupons/freeship) rise in popularity. Many merchants, particularly in the clothing and apparel space offer such codes. It helps provide shoppers being squeezed at the pump with a means of avoiding the shipping charges associated with online shopping. Wonder what other changes in consumer behavior we will see as gas prices head higher during the summer driving season.
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a54 9:12AM (5/20/2007)
Gas prices have not curtailed my shopping. The shopping trips are just combined with other errands in the same area so that I don't make MULTIPLE trips. In addition, I shop online, but online shopping was a matter of convenience.
I still think the vast majority of people will say one thing and do another. They know what the right thing to do is, but they are such an impulse culture that they won't plan their car trips to save fuel.
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Kardax 10:15AM (5/20/2007)
When price increases are not met with wage increases, something's gotta give. Right now, gas prices really aren't high enough to have much of an effect. Still, people are already making small changes--I was at the gas station and overheard a guy talking about removing 30 lbs of junk from his van to help with mileage :)
Certainly, 30 lbs won't make much difference, but the fact that an ordinary guy is making small changes is pretty significant.
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FredH 11:47PM (5/23/2007)
When gas prices begin creeping well above $3 here in North Carolina again, we thought it would be interesting to check the real impact on consumer's spending habits and overall views of the economy. So we did a statewide 600-person survey, and found that the majority of those surveyed were forced to halt spending on other items just to pay for gas. We also found that perceptions about the economy and general direction of state were mixed, with the state's largest metropolitan area being the most "pessimistic" about the direction of the state -- perhaps due to the cost of living?? The results are really interesting by gender, race and age. You can check it out on our blog if you're interested...www.brogansurvey.blogspot.com.
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darwin 4:41PM (5/25/2007)
In a news article, an economics professor said that gasoline costs are about 3 percent of the average household budget so it won't make much impact.
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