Consumers are eager to shop, eat out and travel after a year of COVID-19 restrictions, according to research from global payments company Blackhawk Network. This article is copyright 2021 The Best Customer Guide.

With an estimated US$1.7 trillion in excess savings during the pandemic1, and with the expanded vaccine rollout and the anticipation of a return to some normalcy, Americans are ready to make up for lost time.

Traveling, getting together with friends and family, and eating out top the list of activities consumers are most excited to celebrate together, and with those occasions, 76% of surveyed Americans anticipate giving more gifts.

The Return of Consumer Spending study asked US consumers where and how they plan to spend after restrictions relax further or lift. Top findings and trends included:

  • More to spend and give
    The majority of survey respondents have big gifting plans, with 76% reporting they anticipate giving more gifts when pandemic restrictions lift. Respondents also report they plan to spend more on gifts, with 79% likely to increase spending on gifts.
  • Birthday and holiday spending post-COVID
    Surveyed consumers are most excited to celebrate birthdays (73%) and holidays (71%) together. Along with those celebrations, 70% of consumers plan to spend US$100 or more on birthdays and 67% plan to spend as much or more on holidays.
  • Men and Gen X-ers are the big-spending gifters
    Seventy-six percent of surveyed men and 77% of surveyed Gen X-ers plan to spend US$250-$500+ on gifts across all occasions, with birthdays and holidays being the most prevalent.
  • Return to services and experiences where pandemic access has been limited
    When asked to rank the activities they are most excited to get back to doing, traveling, getting together with friends and family, eating out at a restaurant or bar and shopping for fun all topped the list. Playing or watching sports, live music and entertainment, going to the gym and visiting a spa or salon were also in the top 10 activities.

“We’ve all missed so many celebrations and milestones this past year, so it makes sense that we’re seeing so much pent-up consumer demand aimed towards gifting,” said Theresa McEndree, global head of marketing, Blackhawk Network. “Americans are excited to get back to special events, to reunite with their family and friends, and enjoy the connections that gift cards and gifting can provide.”

Original Source – used with permission