U.S. consumers will spend more at Christmas, but will also look for deals | Key4Communications |

U.S. consumers plan to spend $1,260 each during the Christmas season, $400 more than last year, according to a research by American Express, and despite the fact that once again they are shopping earlier, looking for online deals and discounts.

According to the report:

1. 27% of Americans have already begun planning their purchases and expect to have them all ready before December 1 (versus 24% last year). 37% (33% in 2012) expect to have them ready a week before Christmas.

2. They are advancing purchases, but looking for deals, especially through the internet. In fact, Cyber Monday is the favourite day to take advantage of these offers, above Black Thursday.

3. They are also looking for deals in social networks and purchase clubs, especially Facebook (49%), Groupon (43%), Pinterest (20%) and Twitter (20%).

4. Consumers are increasingly multi-channel: 82 % will buy in both online and offline stores. Consumers plan to make these purchases in superstores (66% vs. 68% in 2012), large electronic stores (45%, up significantly from 36% in 2012), small businesses (38%, up from 31%), and mainstream retail stores (36%, up from 24%).

5. They are also multi-platform: 51% plan to use mobile devices to make purchases (compared to 32% a year ago) and 20% will use apps to scan barcodes and compare prices online (versus 8% for 2012).

6. Consumers plan to increase their purchases in all categories:

Gift Cards - 61% will increase spending in this product category (55% in 2012)
Clothing and accessories - 59% (48%)
Toys and games - 51 % (44%)
Music - 38% (30%)
Jewelry or watches - 37% (20%)
Cash - 36% (29%)
Perfume and cologne - 35% (25%)
Electronics - 34% (29%)
Books or magazines - 31% (26%)

7. Many intend to spend the most on their kids (42%) and their spouse or significant other (22%). 67% of pet owners plan to spend an average of $178 on their pal.

8. As for celebrations, the budget for parties at home also grows. 54 % of respondents will organize a party and 39% will buy Christmas decorations.

9. Not everything is consumerism: 75% of respondents will make a charitable donation, compared to 65% in 2012.

10. 57% will send greeting cards while 40% prefer to use the phone. Virtual greetings are growing: email (34%), text messaging (29%) and Facebook posts (27%) are among the favourites.