There are plenty of things people should not do while drunk: drive, swim, hike up steep mountains, or ride rollercoasters. You may also have your own examples, but a recent survey found that there is one thing Americans love to do while intoxicated, and that’s shopping.
Finder.com surveyed approximately 2,000 people for their annual “Drunk Shopping Survey” (What? You didn’t know about this survey either?) and 26% shop drunk. At least that percentage is down from 2018’s 46%.
According to the shopping site, these survey participants equate to about 53 million people whose spending habits are in the billions. Drunk folks are keeping the economy spinning to the tune of $40 billion, and Amazon is seeing a lot of those dollars. No wonder the company is a beast.
Ebay, Etsy, and Target also hot picks for inebriated people with money to burn. Just because one is impaired does not mean one won’t look for bargains.
Finder listed an interesting year-to-year comparison that summarizes how Americans shop while under the influence. While the amount of people who shop while twisted is down, the amount spent is all the way up:
“Finder’s study conducted in January 2017 revealed the average American spent $206 per year on items while under the influence. That figure jumped to $447.57 per person in the 2018 findings, almost 120% (117.27%) more. By 2019, the average had jumped another 64.44% to $736, according to our latest survey data.”
The most common splurge? Food. After that it’s clothing, cigarettes, and gambling (yeah-yah!). Women lead the pack for drunk purchases on clothing/shoes while men do for cigs and gambling. But the spread is really not that far apart. Everybody who shops while drunk is buying something.
Bear in mind that sober people spend a lot too, but this survey was specifically geared towards drinkers. It should also be noted that the age demographics of the respondents ranged from young to old, but millennials are definitely digging into their wallets the most.
Besides cutting down on the drinks, there are a few apps out there that can curb someone’s spending if they’ve had a few. Check out DrnkPay if you believe you make impulsive drunk purchases.
We are wondering if people receive packages that seem mysterious or if anyone has buyer’s remorse or a straight up retail hangover. To get an idea of the types of things people are buying, watch the video below.
This entertaining probe into our shopping habits might well demonstrate that there are some things better left done while lucid and sober. However, it wouldn’t be surprising if people indeed love to shop drunk and the results of their endeavor. Perhaps even those who buy cars.
It is unclear whether any of the respondents have retail regrets following a night (or day) of boozing. Fellow countrymen and women, we’d like to know what you’re buying – if you remember – and how often you do it when tipsy.
Does this survey sound accurate to you or suspiciously off? Do you think the numbers are higher or lower? Tell the truth: do you drunk shop?