As inflation continues, 95% of Americans will change their holiday shopping plans!

"Inflation" is a hot word in the United States this year. Higher inflation rates have affected Americans' energy, food and housing budgets; not only that, they have also affected Americans' back-to-school shopping and holiday gift shopping behaviors and budgets.

According to a survey conducted by YouGov, a research organization commissioned by information service company Bankrate, due to high inflation, about 40% of consumers in the United States expect to start holiday shopping before the end of October; while 11% of consumers who originally expected to start shopping at the end of August will now postpone buying holiday gifts until December.

Among them, the most affected by inflation are households with annual incomes below $50,000, with 45% saying they are changing their shopping habits. Among shoppers with incomes between $50,000 and $79,999, 41% are affected. Those with salaries between $80,000 and $99,999 are affected by 34%; the least affected are those with incomes of $100,000 or more, with only 33% saying their shopping behavior will change.

Bankrate 's senior industry analyst said inflation this year will reach its highest level in 40 years. While consumers are still spending, they are considering where each dollar goes.

The survey shows that 95% of holiday shoppers said inflation will change the way they shop, and they are actively looking for ways to save money. Shoppers who are worried about inflation will either reduce their spending or wait for promotions, 59% of consumers plan to buy fewer items, and 52% of consumers will buy gifts when there are coupons, discounts or promotions.

84% of holiday shoppers said they plan to cut back on spending and save money, including 41% who will use coupons, promotions and discounts, 40% who will buy fewer items, 27% who will start shopping earlier and 21% who will buy cheaper brands.

Another 17% of consumers said they used credit card rewards to offset costs, 17% shopped at stores with loyalty accounts or store-specific cards, 14% chose to make gifts or crafts, and 11% considered looking for second-hand items.

In terms of payment methods, about 21% will use credit cards to pay for their purchases, while 10% plan to use buy now, pay later services.

Overall, the most popular payment method for holiday shoppers is credit card ( 54%), with only 38% planning to pay in full, while 21% plan to use installment payments; 50% will use debit card, 43% will use cash and 7% will use check.

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