Americans' year-end online shopping demand exceeds the peak of the epidemic! Amazon is still the first choice!

It is learned that after more than two years of slump, the demand for online shopping in the United States has finally recovered during this holiday season. The latest CNBC National Economic Survey found that 57% of Americans listed online shopping as their top two preferred destinations for buying Christmas gifts. In addition, overall, each American will spend an average of $1,300.

CNBC pointed out that in 2006, the proportion of people who chose online shopping as their preferred destination was only 18%. During the outbreak of the epidemic in 2020, this proportion reached an all-time high of 55%. In 2022, this proportion dropped to 51%. This year, this proportion has hit a new high again.

The survey found that the reason for the surge in online shopping may be related to discounts and inflation. This year, a large proportion of people who plan to do more online shopping are women aged 50 and above, who spend less than the overall level and are more concerned about inflation and the overall economic situation. However, compared with young women aged 18 to 49, this group shop less online. In addition, the number of people with an income of less than $30,000 and those who plan to spend only $200 has also increased significantly compared with the same period last year.

Amazon continues to dominate when it comes to online shopping destinations. Amazon has been the preferred shopping platform for Americans for six consecutive years, and other retailers have been unable to shake its position. The survey shows that in 2017, only 35% of Americans considered Amazon their preferred online shopping destination. This year, the proportion rose to 74%, the same as last year, but slightly lower than the highest level in 2019.

It is worth mentioning that Amazon's arch-rival Walmart has also seen an increase in popularity during this year's Christmas season. The proportion of people who consider Walmart their preferred online shopping destination has increased from 12% last year to 16% this year. In addition, the popularity of other handicraft platforms, including Etsy, has increased from 8% to 14%.

The survey also found that the proportion of people planning to use debt to pay for gifts this year is almost the same as in previous years. Among them, 31% said they would use the balance in their personal bank account to make purchases, an increase of 1% from last year, and another 10% said they would use the "buy now, pay later" (BNPL) method.

Overall, this year, online shopping has once again become the main channel for American consumers to buy Christmas gifts. Amazon is still the preferred shopping destination for consumers. The increase in the number of online shoppers may be related to the search for discounts and the fight against inflation.

The survey of 1,002 Americans across the country was conducted from December 8 to 12, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1%.

Editor ✎ Nicole/

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