Survey: High Gas Prices May Not Impact Black Friday

New York City, More than four in 10 U.S. consumers said they plan to shop on the day after Thanksgiving and will not let gas prices affect their spending, according to a survey conducted by New York City-based Accenture.

The survey of more than 500 U.S. consumers found that 44% plan to shop on Black Friday. About half of respondents (49%) said that gas prices will not affect their holiday spending, but nearly the same amount (45%) said they will make fewer shopping trips this year due to gas prices.

Nearly six in 10 respondents (57%) said they will set a budget for holiday-gift buying before heading to the stores, but about half (51%) of respondents said they are likely to overspend their budget.

When asked what bothers them most about holiday shopping in stores, the greatest number of respondents (77%) cited crowded malls, followed by long lines (65%).