Yelp: Eight in 10 Americans will shop local during holidays

San Francisco -- Eight in ten Americans are likely to shop at local businesses during the upcoming holiday season, according to a 2014 nationwide Nielsen survey commissioned by Yelp. Nearly half (47%) plan to spend more than $100 at local businesses.



In addition, 44% are planning to start holiday shopping before Thanksgiving and 66% will have started by the following Monday, Dec. 1. Two-thirds (66%) are shopping locally to find a unique gift and six in 10 (60%) shop locally to feel good about supporting the local economy. Another six in 10 are looking for gifts like theater tickets, pottery or photography class, massage gift certificate, etc.



Half (50%) plan to purchase a gift certificate from a local restaurant, while 25% plan to purchase theater, movie or opera tickets. One in five plan to purchase a salon/spa gift certificate.