Retail Therapy Makes 85 Percent of Adults Feel Good

Money Talks News
Updated
Teens with colorful shopping bags
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By Karla Bowsher

Nearly all Americans admit to using shopping as a pick-me-up, a new survey shows.

The survey results recently released by Ebates.com, a cash-back portal, indicate that 96 percent of American adults admit to participating in retail therapy — and 85 percent of adults admit that it does make them feel better.

Ebates.com CEO Kevin H. Johnson states in a news release:

"Our survey confirms that Americans enjoy shopping and that buying things makes them happy."
Nearly 1,100 adults were polled this month for the survey.

More than one-third of the adults surveyed said that shopping makes them feel better than indulging in pizza, eating sweets like ice cream or working out. Fourteen percent even prefer shopping to sex.
Certain types of purchases make consumers feel better than others, though, the results show.

The top five purchase types that make American adults happiest are:

  • Clothing

  • Entertainment (i.e., books, movies, music)

  • Travel

  • Tech/electronics

  • Furniture/home decor


For 87 percent of adults surveyed, a trigger motives them to shop. Their triggers most commonly include the changing of the seasons and advertising.


When it comes to online shopping in particular, most adults said they do it when they need something specific or when they find a great deal they can't pass up.

For more ways to save online, check out "5 Super Easy Ways to Save Money Shopping Online."

Do you participate in retail therapy? Does it make you feel better? Share your thoughts on the topic with us in a comment below or on our Facebook page.

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