Drunk shopping costs US consumers $14 billion
Consumers in the US spent US$14 billion shopping while under the influence of alcohol in 2022.
According to Finder’s Drunk Shopping Research, 17% of Americans shop after drinking alcohol and spend approximately US$309 each.
The 2022 spending figures are down on 2021, when the combined shopping bill was US$21.6 billion, and approximate individual spend was US$423.73. Last year marked the third consecutive year of decline.
While under the influence, two categories took the joint top position for purchases: shoes, clothes or accessories, and food. The survey showed 47% of drunk shoppers bought items under these categories.
Other popular categories for drunk spending included alcohol, cigarettes and gambling (34% of respondents).
Motor vehicles came out as the most expensive category, with an average spend of US$2,038.
The research also found men were more likely to shop while under the influence than women, with more than a quarter (26%) of men admitting to buying something after drinking, compared with 10% of women.
Men were more likely to buy food (47%), while women opted for shoes, clothes or accessories (50%).
One-third (33%) of Millennials admitted to buying something while under the influence last year, compared with 2% of Baby Boomers.
Gen Z was not far behind Millennials, with 28% having made a drunk purchase in 2022.
Last year, researcher InsightAce Analytic forecast the value of the global alcoholic beverage e-commerce market would reach US$30.5 billion by 2030.
In December 2022, The Spirits Business explored the challenges facing the e-commerce sector.
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