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Couch Potatoes (11/8/01)
FULL STORY:
The terrorist attacks are turning more Americans into couch potatoes, thus
sitting on their credit cards. Surveys released this week show consumers are
traveling less, spending less, and eating more snacks. Almost half of the
respondents of a survey conducted by Euro RSCG Worldwide plan to spend less
money than usual this holiday season. When it comes to eating habits, 11% are
snacking more, with one out four indicating the preferred snack food, post
9-11, is ice cream. About 25% of consumers are sharing more meals with family
or eating at home more often. Euro RSCG also found that 13% of men and 9% of
women won't send holiday cards this year as a result of the anthrax scare.
When
it comes to travel, a survey conducted by The Hartford found that more than
20%
of adults expect to fly less in the next three months. Of those who had flown
recently, 29%, expect to fly less. Nearly 28% of those with incomes of $75,000
or more expect to take more leisure car trips in upcoming months. The
change in
consumer habits since September 11th will have a significant impact on credit
card activity this holiday season as travel-related sales stay in a slump and
consumers turn cautious about piling on debt.
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