Flagging Economy Could Boost Coupon Use: Survey

When it comes to shopping, coupons are a household staple. In fact, 86% of people have used coupons and/or discount codes while shopping.

And that number is expected to rise as the economic slowdown prompts consumers to reevaluate their spending behaviors, a recent survey found.

The survey, commissioned by RetailMeNot, a destination for online coupons, discounts and promotional codes for merchandise, travel and services, found that more than one in three adults (37%) said that during a recession they would increase the use of coupons and/or discount codes. Some 43% of women said they would use coupons and discount codes more than men at 31%, the survey found.

Adults are equally as likely to look for deals online as in stores, at 56% respectively. But less than half (46%) of shoppers search out deals in direct mail such as catalogs, brochures or flyers compared to coupon books at 38%, outlet malls at 24% and TV at 18%.

And given the tight economy, 54% of adults said they would reduce discretionary spending during an economic recession. The majority of adults (63%) said they would not make a purchase if there was no deal attached.

Harris Interactive polled 2,471 adults ages 18 and older between Feb. 13 and Feb. 15 for the survey.

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