US: Is inflation stressing out holiday shoppers ahead of the season of giving?

Many consumers will be turning their attention toward shopping for gifts now that the busy holiday season is just around the corner. Finding the perfect gift for friends and loved ones can come with a fair amount of stress—from limited availability and supply issues in recent years to long lines and crowded stores.

We know from a recent YouGov survey that holiday spending will be impacted by the current financial situation in the US:

more than four in five (84%) holiday shoppers say their shopping will be impacted by inflation to some extent

.

There’s also the mental burden to consider when it comes to inflated prices amid the season of giving. More than half (55%) of US adults who plan to do holiday shopping say they are stressed about inflation’s impact on their shopping, according to a new YouGov poll in October.

The financial stress of shopping this year appears to affect holiday shoppers across most ages and income demographics. Close to three in five holiday shoppers with a household income of under $40,000 a year (57%) and those who earn between $40,000 and $80,000 a year say they’re stressed about inflation’s impact. Those who earn $80,000 and above are less likely to show concern although roughly one in two still say they’re stressed (48%).

One group proved more sensitive than others to the financial impact of holiday shopping this year, according to the data. Three in five (59%) holiday shoppers who identify as parents say they are stressed about shopping this year, rising to 65% among those with children under the age of 18 in their household.