MOST AMERICANS “DEAL-AYING” HOLIDAY SHOPPING

Going into the final stretch of the holiday season, a majority of Americans are far from finished with their holiday shopping, according to the latest American Express Spending & Saving Tracker. Seventy-three percent of Americans plan to shop last minute, compared to 79 percent in 2014.

Among the reasons consumers are shopping last minute include waiting for the best deal (44% as opposed to 46% in 2014), trying to save up until they have enough money (22%, on par with 2014) and difficulty finding the time to shop (20% vs. 16% in 2014).

In terms of where consumers choose to make purchases, on average, 51 percent of Americans have purchased items online this holiday season compared to 49 percent bought in-store, and that trend will continue grow during the remainder of this month.

“Black Friday and Cyber Monday are no longer the only days for big savings, as savvy shoppers have come to expect an entire season of discounts and deals,” said Jed Scala, senior vice president, consumer lending at American Express. “As we enter the final stretch of the shopping season, we are seeing a growing preference to complete shopping online, possibly connected to the stream of enticing retail offers in consumers’ inboxes.”