Survey Prompts Earlier Christmas Merchandising at Wal-Mart

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart here said yesterday it will open its Christmas shops in stores nationwide next week in response to findings from a national phone survey conducted last month, which indicated 35% of consumers will start their Christmas shopping earlier this year to help stretch holiday dollars. Among other survey findings, according to Wal-Mart: 61% of respondents said they do not plan to make spending cutbacks, but those who do expect to cut back $50 or less; 39% said they plan to purchase less-expensive items; and 35% said they will purchase presents for fewer people. The survey indicated people in the South are slightly more likely to purchase less-expensive items, to start shopping earlier and to change the amount they give to charity this year. Asked what the most desirable Christmas present the next U.S. president could give the country, 13% of all respondents said a stable economy and 11% said an end to the war in Iraq.

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