On average, U.S. households will spend $390 on Christmas gifts this year, a small percent drop from 2008. The average projected spending per household was slightly lower than an earlier survey taken by the National Retail Federation (NRF) in which average spending on gifts was projected to be about $508.
Consumers expect to approach offline online shopping very cautiously many preferring to save mney with the exceptional deals being offered at online stores, searching for incentives, such as free shipping and discounts, according to the group’s Consumer Internet Barometer, a separate survey produced quarterly by The Conference Board and TNS.
Top online items for shoppers this year include books, apparel, toys/games, movies and gift certificates. Some 0.5 percent of respondents planned to buy diamonds and jewelry online.