American Pulse(TM): 10,000+ Consumers Weigh in on New TSA Procedures, Holiday Spending Plans and Social Media Holiday Promos

Stores Most Fun and Exciting to Shop: Kohl's for Women's Clothing; Walmart for Men's & Children's


COLUMBUS, OH--(Marketwire - December 6, 2010) - It's the most wonderful time of the year -- for shopping and traveling. When it comes to the latter, 21.4% of consumers say they will be flying less as a result of the new airport scanners and pat-down procedures (versus 58.1% who say they will not be flying less), according to the latest American Pulse™ Survey of 10,184 respondents. Further, 31.8% believe that the new procedures are a result of the government being politically correct (43.7% don't and 24.5% don't know). The majority believe profiling may be necessary, as 55.5% think it's "crazy" not to profile airline passengers.

There is a slight improvement in holiday spending plans using the BIGresearch® Diffusion Index (those who say they'll spend less subtracted from those who will spend more) when compared to September. Of those who celebrate December holidays, 23.2% said it was too early to know their spending plans in September and in November only 10.1% said the same.

Based on your present situation and feelings toward the economy, which of the following best describes your plans for the December Holiday Season? (Compared to last year)
       
  American Pulse(NOV-10, N=10,184)   Consumer Intentions and Actions(SEP-10, N=9,291)
   
I plan on spending more for gifts 12.0%   5.3%
I plan on spending the same for gifts 36.0%   34.0%
I plan on spending less for gifts 41.9%*   37.5%
       
Diffusion Index -29.9%   -32.2%
       
Source: American Pulse™ Survey, Nov-10; Consumer Intentions and Actions® (CIA®) Survey, Sept-10
*Does not add up to 100% as too early to know was an option
 

When it comes to the most exciting places to shop, Kohl's tops the list for Women's Clothing and Walmart does for Men's and Children's.

TOP 3 Write-In Responses for Stores Most Exciting and Fun To Shop (Of those with a preference)
     
Women's Clothing Men's Clothing Children's Clothing
Kohl's Walmart Walmart
Walmart Kohl's Kohl's
Macy's JC Penney JC Penney
     

18.1% of consumers say they have signed up to receive retailer promotions through social media such as Facebook and Twitter. Of the consumers who have, 69.1% say they have acted on a retailer's special promotion they've received.

Complimentary report: http://www.formsite.com/prosper/ampulse120610/

American Pulse™
The American Pulse™ Survey is collected online by BIGresearch® twice a month exclusively utilizing SSI's U.S. panel covering topics such as politics, pop culture and the economy. 10,184 respondents participated in the 2nd November American Pulse conducted 11/23-11/28/2010. Margin of error is +/- 1%. www.bigresearch.com

About Survey Sampling International (SSI)
Survey Sampling International (www.surveysampling.com) is the premier global provider of sampling solutions for survey research. SSI reaches respondents in 72 countries via Internet, telephone and mobile/wireless. Client services include questionnaire design consultation, programming and hosting, and data processing. SSI serves more than 2,000 clients, including 48 of the top 50 research organizations. Founded in 1977, SSI has 17 offices in 15 countries.

Contact Information:

BIGresearch
Chrissy Wissinger

203-567-7230