New York–Seventy-four percent of U.S. consumers consider it their patriotic duty to maintain spending levels, according to Deloitte & Touche’s Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, which polled more than 5,100 individuals between Sept. 27 and Oct. 4. At the same time, about one-quarter of respondents say they are spending less on mail order catalogs and TV/home shopping.
The study also found that 77% of Americans are confident that the economy will rebound next year. But 37% of respondents say they have changed their buying habits as a result of safety concerns. In New York, for example, more than 47% of respondents had made safety-related purchases since Sept. 11.
Two-thirds of respondents expect to resume a “normal” daily routine within six months. Yet some projected expenditures suggest that people may be spending more time at home: 15% of respondents expect to spend more money on home improvement items in the coming months, and 14% expect to buy home furnishings. And nearly one-quarter anticipate buying less “dress-up” clothing during the next 90 days.