Adapting Halloween celebrations

Forty-six percent of respondents will not be giving out Halloween candy this year, according to Apartment Guide, which analyzed data from over 3,000 Americans. Only 24% plan to leave a bowl of candy outside.

It is possible trick-or-treaters will come home empty-handed, as 34% of respondents said they still plan to go trick-or-treating in their neighborhoods. A small population of Americans – 16% – plan to celebrate at home and adapt their usual Halloween celebrations for COVID-19. Among survey respondents, approximately 50% claimed they never celebrate Halloween. 

The research was conducted in August 2020. Read more. 

Consumers uncertain about 2020 holiday season

Many consumers report that plans to celebrate Thanksgiving and December holidays remain up in the air do to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as economic uncertainty. Research from Influence Central shows that 75% of consumers already anticipate a decrease in attendance this Thanksgiving, and 31% of consumers have already cancelled, postponed or changed December holiday plans. Thirty percent of consumers anticipate shipping more presents this year.

In terms of holiday meal prep, 75% of consumers still intend to go in-store to shop for some of their holiday meal ingredients, with 31% planning to use online grocery pick-up. 

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Stress remains for business owners 

Research from Comcast Business shows that 78% of small- to mid-size business owners feel prepared for another COVID-19 spike after rethinking how they do business (46%), serve customers (50%) and collaborate and communicate (45%). One-in-five businesses (21%) believe they have resumed normal operations, while 53% predict it will take six months to a year, and another 23% believe it will take more than a year to return to normal. 

Sixty-five percent of small- to mid-size business owners identified themselves as stressed due to the impact of COVID-19 on their business. Sixty-eight percent admit to losing at least one hour of sleep per night. 

The research was conducted August 18 to August 23, 2020. Read more. 

Christmas in the U.K.

Thirty-one percent of U.K. consumers plan to spend less on presents and gifts this year, and 52% are worried about how they will afford Christmas, according to a study by Toluna. Over a third (35%) of people asked do not have any festive savings, and 39% of those asked said they will spend less on presents because they have seen changes in personal finances in 2020. 

Forty percent of respondents want to save as much as possible for 2021. On the flip side, four in 10 people will consider using credit to delay Christmas shopping expenses and spread out the amount spent. Over a third of consumers expect more deals and discounts than previous years, and 33% are worried that the presents they want to buy won’t be available due to stock issues. 

Read more. 

Millennials adjust savings, budget 

More than one-quarter of American Millennials (27%) are saving more money from their paychecks because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study released by The Manifest found that with nearly 40% of Millennials moving back home as a result of the pandemic, they are shifting spend to remain financially independent. 

Sixty-four percent of Millennials indicate they feel comfortable developing a personal budget, compared to 61% of Baby Boomers, 57% of Gen Xers and 55% of Gen Z who feel similarly. Nearly 30% of Millennials report creating a new budget once a month, turning to Excel (38%) and apps (20%) to create these personal budgets. Despite this, only 11% of Millennials admit to staying within their budgets. 

The research was conducted July 7 to July 11, 2020. Read more.Â