53% of shoppers plan to spend more on home improvement

Vacations and home spending lead list, latest Telescope National Shopper Survey shows

Casual Living Staff -- Casual Living, 3/15/2011 9:45:58 AM

GRANVILLE, N.Y. — Telescope Casual Furniture, a leading outdoor furniture manufacturer, has found through its National Shopper Survey that 53% of shoppers are anxious to spend more on home improvement products/tools as the economy improves.

"Shoppers have a lot of pent up demand," said Telescope Casual CEO Kathy Juckett, in announcing the results from the survey. "And when they go back to spending, they will first spend more on things that make them feel good, and home is at the top of the list."

The Telescope National Shopper Survey reveals that 63% of shoppers will spend more on vacations, followed by home improvement products (53%) and entertainment, like concerts (53%).

This year, homeowners say they plan to repaint a room (39%), redo outdoor landscaping (29%), redo a bathroom (20%) or kitchen (14%), according to the Telescope National Shopper Survey.

"Our retail partners have a huge opportunity to jump on the home improvement trend," Juckett said. "Try offering do-it-yourself books/magazines, or small home improvement supplies at the checkout of your stores. Even some simple signage around your stores with home improvement tips, ideas or inspiration, will surely resonate well."

The Telescope National Shopper Survey is a national Internet survey of 1,500 adults conducted quarterly by WSL Strategic Retail, one of the nation's leading retail strategists and futurists.