September and October 2010

General

• Women own an average of 19 pairs of underwear; men own 16 pairs.

• More than four in 10 consumers (41%) are now using in-store or mall kiosks such as Redboxes to rent movies on DVD, compared to the 36% who rent from Blockbuster outlets and other physical stores.

• Two-thirds of women (67%) say that insulting their cooking for a holiday meal or special occasion is the same as insulting their character.

• One in six primary grocery shoppers for their household (17%) have purchased groceries online.

• More than three-quarters of Americans (78%) are saving for retirement this year, up from 69% in 2009. Those aged 55-64 (83%) are more likely than younger Americans to save.

• A 2009 survey shows that women’s career desires include work that makes a positive impact on society (89%), opportunity to develop professional expertise (85%), good work/life balance (80%), opportunity to express and act in line with their values (79%), and opportunity for meaningful advancement (76%).

• Behind English, Spanish is the most common language in the U.S.  Some 34.5 million Americans speak Spanish at home; Chinese is spoken by 2.5 million.

• Teens (46%) are now more likely than their parents (26%) to donate to charity, compared to 2009 when parents (39%) donated more than teens (26%).

• Over the prior year, the 46% of Americans who put money into savings did so by cutting back on dining (50%), travel (46%), clothing purchases (35%), home renovations (31%), medical expenses (16%), and higher education expenses (12%).

• Men (22%) are more likely than women (17%) to believe there are aliens on earth.

• Some 80% of renters say that a pet-friendly policy factored into their decision on where to live.

• Some 78% of teens say that text messaging is an important part of their daily life. The number of teens who text on a regular basis increased 50% from 2007 to 2009.

• By 2030, those in the Baby Boomer generation will be aged 65 or older, a time when Americans typically stop working and start enjoying retirement.

• Social Security income accounted for an average of 40% of income for Americans age 65 and older in 2008. One-quarter of income (26%) is from earnings, 20% from pensions and annuities, and 13% from assets.

• Per the U.S. Census Bureau, multigenerational households make up 16% of households in 2010, up from a low of 12% in 1980. Almost one-half (47%) include two adult generations, 47% include three or more family generations and 6% are “skipped generation” households where grandparents live with grandchildren.

• Almost two-thirds of American adults (64%) use social media. This includes 78% of 18-34 year olds, 71% of 35-44 year olds, 59% of 45-54 year olds, and 43% of those aged 55 and older.  The majority of users share personal data on social media websites including updates about their lives, pictures and what they are currently doing.

• One in ten cell phone owners (10%) use location-based services on their device at least once a week. They use it most frequently to locate nearby points of interest, shops or services.

• Most TV viewers (86%) report that commercials are louder than the TV shows during which they air; 93% say it frustrates them.

• Some 80% of Americans have a handheld device, but only 35% have video access on it. Emerging majorities – 50% of Asians, 42% of Blacks, and 36% of Hispanics – are more likely thank Whites (30%) to have video access on their handheld devices.

• Blacks (75%) are most likely to watch TV during the hour before they go to bed, followed by Hispanics (72%), Whites (64%) and Asians (52%).

• The majority of consumers (92%) say they want companies to tell them about their socially responsibility actions in improving their products, services and operations. However, 87% of consumers are skeptical because they think companies only publicize positive stores about their businesses, and withhold the negative ones.

• Most Americans (53%) frequently read the ingredients listed on packaged foods but only 45% understand at least three-quarters of those ingredients.

• The average American has 18.7 doctors over their lifetime. For women, the average is 20.6 doctors; for men it is 16.7.

• More than one-half of Americans with adult-onset diabetes (55%) say their hectic schedules get in the way of managing their disease. This includes 20% who claim it is the number one difficulty.

• One-third of Americans aged 50+ say their doctors never discuss potential drug interactions when prescribing medication. Some 20% say they have received conflicting information from their doctors.

• Some 43% of couples say they have not had a date without their kids in three months or more. A full 18% say they have not gone out alone since they have had children.

• Two-thirds of men (65%) say they have skin irritation or discomfort when shaving.

• Hispanic women spend nearly three times the amount the general market women do on skin care ($60 versus $22) and body care ($60 versus $23) products each month.

• More than two-thirds of social network users (68%) have become a “fan” or “friend” of a company, product, service or musical group, up from 57% last year.

• Nearly one-quarter of hiring managers (22%) reported that job candidates are using unusual tactics to get their attention when sending in resumes and during interviews, up from 12% in 2008.

• Some 42% of office workers have stolen supplies from a coworker’s desk. Most say they simply forgot to return them, while 23% purposely keep them because they believed their coworker had taken the supplies from them.

• More than one-third of consumers (35%) have chosen not to buy a certain brand because they found its advertising distasteful. Some 28% have avoided a brand because they did not like the spokesperson it used, and 27% because they disliked a program or event sponsored by the brand.

• The proportion of Americans who regularly review postings on job classified websites (28.6%) surpassed the proportion who regularly review classifieds in newspapers (25.8%) in 2009. In 2005, job classifieds were mostly viewed in newspapers (33.1%) versus online (22.7%).

• Most of the business elite (57%) – executives at the largest and most profitable businesses in the U.S. – have smartphones or handheld computers. C-suite members (61%) and executives, vice presidents, and managers (61%) are more likely than directors and department heads (41%) to have smartphones or handhelds. Those with annual salaries of $250,000 (65%) are more likely than average to have such a device.

• Most workers (56%) feel more in need of a vacation in 2010 than they have in the past. Some 36% say they are more comfortable taking a vacation based on improvements in the economy.

• Almost one in five American households (19%) claim they are likely to buy or lease a new vehicle in the last six months of 2010. Most (61%) say they would consider buying one that runs on alternative fuel, with 40% being concerned about a car’s environmental impact, and 43% trying to save money on gas. The other 16% say that the environment and cost saving are equally important to their purchase decision.

• The average cost of owning and operating a four-wheel drive SUV is $0.74 per mile (includes cost of gas, insurance and vehicle maintenance). It is $0.70 per mile for large sedans, $0.62 for minivans, $0.56 for medium sedans and $0.43 for small sedans.

• American’s interest in adding an eco-drive assistant – which helps drivers use their traditional gasoline engines more efficiently – to their vehicles nearly doubled between 2009 (11%) and 2010 (19%).

• In an attempt to reduce pollution, cut road congestion and promote healthy exercise, about one dozen U.S. cities have implemented a bicycle sharing program. In comparison, 100 European cities have done so. Nearly 90 American universities now offer some type of campus bike sharing program, according to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

Advertising

• Women own an average of 19 pairs of underwear; men own 16 pairs.

• More than four in 10 consumers (41%) are now using in-store or mall kiosks such as Redboxes to rent movies on DVD, compared to the 36% who rent from Blockbuster outlets and other physical stores.

• Behind English, Spanish is the most common language in the U.S.  Some 34.5 million Americans speak Spanish at home; Chinese is spoken by 2.5 million.

• Some 78% of teens say that text messaging is an important part of their daily life. The number of teens who text on a regular basis increased 50% from 2007 to 2009.

• Social Security income accounted for an average of 40% of income for Americans age 65 and older in 2008. One-quarter of income (26%) is from earnings, 20% from pensions and annuities, and 13% from assets.

• Per the U.S. Census Bureau, multigenerational households make up 16% of households in 2010, up from a low of 12% in 1980. Almost one-half (47%) include two adult generations, 47% include three or more family generations and 6% are “skipped generation” households where grandparents live with grandchildren.

• Almost two-thirds of American adults (64%) use social media. This includes 78% of 18-34 year olds, 71% of 35-44 year olds, 59% of 45-54 year olds, and 43% of those aged 55 and older.  The majority of users share personal data on social media websites including updates about their lives, pictures and what they are currently doing.

• One in ten cell phone owners (10%) use location-based services on their device at least once a week. They use it most frequently to locate nearby points of interest, shops or services.

• Most TV viewers (86%) report that commercials are louder than the TV shows during which they air; 93% say it frustrates them.

• Some 80% of Americans have a handheld device, but only 35% have video access on it. Emerging majorities – 50% of Asians, 42% of Blacks, and 36% of Hispanics – are more likely thank Whites (30%) to have video access on their handheld devices.

• Blacks (75%) are most likely to watch TV during the hour before they go to bed, followed by Hispanics (72%), Whites (64%) and Asians (52%).

• The majority of consumers (92%) say they want companies to tell them about their socially responsibility actions in improving their products, services and operations. However, 87% of consumers are skeptical because they think companies only publicize positive stores about their businesses, and withhold the negative ones.

• More than two-thirds of social network users (68%) have become a “fan” or “friend” of a company, product, service or musical group, up from 57% last year.

• More than one-third of consumers (35%) have chosen not to buy a certain brand because they found its advertising distasteful. Some 28% have avoided a brand because they did not like the spokesperson it used, and 27% because they disliked a program or event sponsored by the brand.

• The proportion of Americans who regularly review postings on job classified websites (28.6%) surpassed the proportion who regularly review classifieds in newspapers (25.8%) in 2009. In 2005, job classifieds were mostly viewed in newspapers (33.1%) versus online (22.7%).

• Most of the business elite (57%) – executives at the largest and most profitable businesses in the U.S. – have smartphones or handheld computers. C-suite members (61%) and executives, vice presidents, and managers (61%) are more likely than directors and department heads (41%) to have smartphones or handhelds. Those with annual salaries of $250,000 (65%) are more likely than average to have such a device.

Business-to-Business

• One in ten cell phone owners (10%) use location-based services on their device at least once a week. They use it most frequently to locate nearby points of interest, shops or services.

• The majority of consumers (92%) say they want companies to tell them about their socially responsibility actions in improving their products, services and operations. However, 87% of consumers are skeptical because they think companies only publicize positive stores about their businesses, and withhold the negative ones.

• Most Americans (53%) frequently read the ingredients listed on packaged foods but only 45% understand at least three-quarters of those ingredients.

• The average American has 18.7 doctors over their lifetime. For women, the average is 20.6 doctors; for men it is 16.7.

• More than one-half of Americans with adult-onset diabetes (55%) say their hectic schedules get in the way of managing their disease. This includes 20% who claim it is the number one difficulty.

• One-third of Americans aged 50+ say their doctors never discuss potential drug interactions when prescribing medication. Some 20% say they have received conflicting information from their doctors.

• Some 43% of couples say they have not had a date without their kids in three months or more. A full 18% say they have not gone out alone since they have had children.

• Two-thirds of men (65%) say they have skin irritation or discomfort when shaving.

• Hispanic women spend nearly three times the amount the general market women do on skin care ($60 versus $22) and body care ($60 versus $23) products each month.

• More than two-thirds of social network users (68%) have become a “fan” or “friend” of a company, product, service or musical group, up from 57% last year.

• Nearly one-quarter of hiring managers (22%) reported that job candidates are using unusual tactics to get their attention when sending in resumes and during interviews, up from 12% in 2008.

• Some 42% of office workers have stolen supplies from a coworker’s desk. Most say they simply forgot to return them, while 23% purposely keep them because they believed their coworker had taken the supplies from them.

• More than one-third of consumers (35%) have chosen not to buy a certain brand because they found its advertising distasteful. Some 28% have avoided a brand because they did not like the spokesperson it used, and 27% because they disliked a program or event sponsored by the brand.

• The proportion of Americans who regularly review postings on job classified websites (28.6%) surpassed the proportion who regularly review classifieds in newspapers (25.8%) in 2009. In 2005, job classifieds were mostly viewed in newspapers (33.1%) versus online (22.7%).

• Most of the business elite (57%) – executives at the largest and most profitable businesses in the U.S. – have smartphones or handheld computers. C-suite members (61%) and executives, vice presidents, and managers (61%) are more likely than directors and department heads (41%) to have smartphones or handhelds. Those with annual salaries of $250,000 (65%) are more likely than average to have such a device.

• Most workers (56%) feel more in need of a vacation in 2010 than they have in the past. Some 36% say they are more comfortable taking a vacation based on improvements in the economy.

Energy

• One in ten cell phone owners (10%) use location-based services on their device at least once a week. They use it most frequently to locate nearby points of interest, shops or services.

• Almost one in five American households (19%) claim they are likely to buy or lease a new vehicle in the last six months of 2010. Most (61%) say they would consider buying one that runs on alternative fuel, with 40% being concerned about a car’s environmental impact, and 43% trying to save money on gas. The other 16% say that the environment and cost saving are equally important to their purchase decision.

• The average cost of owning and operating a four-wheel drive SUV is $0.74 per mile (includes cost of gas, insurance and vehicle maintenance). It is $0.70 per mile for large sedans, $0.62 for minivans, $0.56 for medium sedans and $0.43 for small sedans.

• American’s interest in adding an eco-drive assistant – which helps drivers use their traditional gasoline engines more efficiently – to their vehicles nearly doubled between 2009 (11%) and 2010 (19%).

• In an attempt to reduce pollution, cut road congestion and promote healthy exercise, about one dozen U.S. cities have implemented a bicycle sharing program. In comparison, 100 European cities have done so. Nearly 90 American universities now offer some type of campus bike sharing program, according to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

Health Care

• Two-thirds of women (67%) say that insulting their cooking for a holiday meal or special occasion is the same as insulting their character.

• One in six primary grocery shoppers for their household (17%) have purchased groceries online.

• A 2009 survey shows that women’s career desires include work that makes a positive impact on society (89%), opportunity to develop professional expertise (85%), good work/life balance (80%), opportunity to express and act in line with their values (79%), and opportunity for meaningful advancement (76%).

• Over the prior year, the 46% of Americans who put money into savings did so by cutting back on dining (50%), travel (46%), clothing purchases (35%), home renovations (31%), medical expenses (16%), and higher education expenses (12%).

• Some 80% of renters say that a pet-friendly policy factored into their decision on where to live.

• Social Security income accounted for an average of 40% of income for Americans age 65 and older in 2008. One-quarter of income (26%) is from earnings, 20% from pensions and annuities, and 13% from assets.

• Per the U.S. Census Bureau, multigenerational households make up 16% of households in 2010, up from a low of 12% in 1980. Almost one-half (47%) include two adult generations, 47% include three or more family generations and 6% are “skipped generation” households where grandparents live with grandchildren.

• One in ten cell phone owners (10%) use location-based services on their device at least once a week. They use it most frequently to locate nearby points of interest, shops or services.

• The majority of consumers (92%) say they want companies to tell them about their socially responsibility actions in improving their products, services and operations. However, 87% of consumers are skeptical because they think companies only publicize positive stores about their businesses, and withhold the negative ones.

• Most Americans (53%) frequently read the ingredients listed on packaged foods but only 45% understand at least three-quarters of those ingredients.

• The average American has 18.7 doctors over their lifetime. For women, the average is 20.6 doctors; for men it is 16.7.

• More than one-half of Americans with adult-onset diabetes (55%) say their hectic schedules get in the way of managing their disease. This includes 20% who claim it is the number one difficulty.

• One-third of Americans aged 50+ say their doctors never discuss potential drug interactions when prescribing medication. Some 20% say they have received conflicting information from their doctors.

• Some 43% of couples say they have not had a date without their kids in three months or more. A full 18% say they have not gone out alone since they have had children.

• Two-thirds of men (65%) say they have skin irritation or discomfort when shaving.

• Hispanic women spend nearly three times the amount the general market women do on skin care ($60 versus $22) and body care ($60 versus $23) products each month.