Considering the economic downturn, there’s no doubt that many people have cut their holiday budgets, shortened their gift recipient lists, and are spending less on each gift. However, according to Mintel’s Holiday Shopping Report (June 2010), spending during the holiday was the least impacted of all spending occasions. Forty-three percent of consumers said they planned to spend the same or more than they did last holiday season.

Regardless of their budget though, consumers told us that holiday shopping is stressful. Of course there are obvious reasons like crowded malls, outrageously chaotic traffic conditions and increased family obligations, but consumers face other speed bumps that companies can help with.

Last holiday season and throughout the year, Curious has been conducting a series of discussions with members of our ShopTalk online community to dig deeper into consumer holiday shopping habits and the reasons why they shop the way they do.

Read More