SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Half of U.S. consumers are reducing spending to combat high gas prices, up four points from June 2007, according to a new Nielsen study. Consumers are also battling high gas prices by combining shopping trips and errands (70%), eating out less (41%) and staying home more often (39%). “Our research shows consumers are adjusting their spending to a significant degree in order to counterbalance rising gas prices,” said Todd Hale, Nielsen senior vice president of consumer shopping and insights. “Large numbers of consumers eating out less and staying home more often signal a tough year for some restaurants, but there may be an opportunity for consumer packaged goods manufacturers and retailers to find continued growth in healthy, at-home meal solutions and at-work meals.” At the same time, 25% of consumers are using coupons to save money, up from 20% in June 2007. And 23% of consumers indicate they will buy more private label.
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