Survey: Two-in-three consumers finished with holiday shopping

Charleston, S.C. -- Only two-thirds of Americans are all or almost finished with their holiday shopping as of Dec. 23. Of the 24 retailers surveyed by America’s Research Group and Inmar, only three retained 70% or more of their customer base, with Wal-Mart topping the list at 88.1%, followed closely by Dollar Tree at 80.4%, and Target at 72.1%.



Of those not finished shopping, those holding out for bigger bargains is up to 25.1% from 20.8% last year. Of those who are shopping, consumers doing 75% or more of their holiday shopping at Walmart this year jumped to 28.8% this year from 20.6% last year; while enclosed shopping malls experienced another decline falling to 23.7% this year from 26.3% last year.



Regarding shopping levels of return customers, the following retailers all saw increases: CVS (+42.6%), The Gap (+33.9%), American Eagle (+22.5%), Macy's (+21.5%), Best Buy (+16.9%) and Sears (+7.7%); while declines were shown at Target (-3.4%), J.C. Penney (-22.6%), ToysRUs (-25%), TJ Maxx (-30.4%), Ross (-33.1%), and Marshalls -57.3%).



Of those who are shopping, consumers doing 75% or more of their holiday shopping at Walmart this year jumped to 28.8% this year from 20.6% last year; while enclosed shopping malls experienced another decline falling to 23.7% this year from 26.3% last year.



"This is the worst Christmas season in the last ten years when it comes to retailers getting their customers to return to their stores to shop again this year, and many retailers are in grave danger because of it," said Britt Beemer, chairman and CEO of America's Research Group.