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New study reveals politics lurking behind holiday shopping intentions

by | Nov 13, 2018 | Public Relations

U.S. consumers are paying closer attention to politics than ever these days, and that’s changing the way some of them plan to shop for the holidays—according to new research from The NPD Group, more consumers today than last year reported that a manufacturer’s or retailer’s position on current social, environmental, and political issues would affect their purchasing decisions over the holidays.

Younger consumers, especially Generation Z consumers, were particularly sensitive to a company’s stance on social and environmental issues—no small thing, considering this young age cohort will account for 40 percent of all consumers in 2020.

“In this mid-term election year, political polarization and activism is on the rise in this country, and it’s bleeding into the upcoming holiday season, especially among younger consumers,” said Marshal Cohen, chief industry advisor at The NPD Group, in a news release. “While many might disregard the social and environmental views of younger consumers, they do so at their peril. After all, the oldest Gen Z consumers are just now entering the workforce—and the purchasing power of this generation will increase significantly in the years ahead.”

Social and environmental issues

More than half of consumers (52 percent) said that a manufacturer’s or a retailer’s position on social or environmental issues would impact their holiday buying decisions, which is three percentage points higher than 2017. Among the Gen Z cohort, that number rose to 65 percent, followed by Millennials, at 55 percent. “Younger generations want—and will pay a premium for—brands that stand for something and those that have corporate social programs that are aligned with their values,” Cohen said.

Political leanings

Similarly, nearly half (47 percent) of all U.S. consumers indicated that general political issues would play a role in their purchases, which is three points higher than last year. Nearly half (49 percent) of Baby Boomers reported that a company’s politics would affect their buying decisions, followed by Gen Z at 48 percent, and Millennials at 47 percent.

The “Holiday Purchase Intentions Survey” is designed to better understand consumers’ shopping and spending intentions for the upcoming holiday season. An online survey was fielded to members of NPD’s online consumer panel in September 2018. The survey was fielded to a U.S. representative sample. The results of 3,605 completed surveys are presented in this report.

Richard Carufel
Richard Carufel is editor of Bulldog Reporter and the Daily ’Dog, one of the web’s leading sources of PR and marketing communications news and opinions. He has been reporting on the PR and communications industry for over 17 years, and has interviewed hundreds of journalists and PR industry leaders. Reach him at richard.carufel@bulldogreporter.com; @BulldogReporter

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