The Essential Report Archive Read the latest report

Spending

16 Jan 2012

Q. Compared to 12 months ago, are you spending more or less on the following –

Total spending more Total spending less Spending a lot more Spending a little more Spending about the same Spending a little less Spending a lot less Don’t know
Food and groceries 60% 10% 20% 40% 30% 7% 3% 1%
Gas and electricity 70% 9% 36% 34% 20% 5% 4% 1%
Telephone and internet services 38% 11% 11% 27% 49% 9% 2% 1%
Entertainment such as cinemas and restaurants 20% 39% 5% 15% 38% 20% 19% 3%
Retail products such as clothing and electrical goods 20% 38% 5% 15% 41% 22% 16% 1%

70% say they are spending more on gas and electricity and 60% say they are spending more on food and groceries. But they were more likely to be spending less on entertainment (20% more/39% less) and other retail products (20% more/38% less).

Perceptions of spending on food and groceries is similar across demographic groups. However, older respondents are more likely to say they are spending more on gas and electricity (80% of those aged 55+) and less on entertainment (46% of those aged 55+). For those aged under 35, 28% are spending more on entertainment and 34% less.

There is a similar pattern for spending on retail products – for those aged under 35, 27% are spending more and 32% less while for those aged 55+, 15% are spending more and 44% less.

Error: