Rising U.S. gas prices continue to influence how U.S. consumers spend, but not necessarily how much they spend, according to an ICSC survey of 1,000 households conducted last week. About 60 percent of respondents reported reducing the frequency of their shopping due to higher fuel expenditures, but not reducing their discretionary spending over the past month on such items as clothing, shoes, jewelry, consumer electronics, beauty services or on non-essential items.

For those consumers that scaled back their discretionary spending, dining out was expense most likely to be cut. Slightly more than a quarter (26 percent) of households reduced their restaurant expenditures followed by approximately another quarter (23 percent) scaling back on travel. Entertainment spending was the third most cited area of reduction (12 percent) and then spending on clothing and shoes (11 percent).

Nearly a year ago when this question was asked previously, the percentage reporting a more efficient shopping pattern was nearly the same (59 percent) as the current survey response. Last year’s survey found that restaurant spending (31 percent) and travel (18 percent) also ranked as the first and second most cited spending items due to higher fuel expenditures. However, last year, spending on clothing and shoes was more likely to be reduced (14 percent than this year’s 11 percent) than it was this year.

“Consumers continue to be resilient and adjust their shopping patterns to reduce the negative impact of high fuel prices,” said Michael P. Niemira, ICSC’s chief economist and director of research. “With about two-thirds of households describing themselves as more ‘efficient shoppers’ — making fewer visits per store, but buying more or combining shopping trips better—as a way of coping with the higher gasoline cost. This compared with 59 percent reporting that in May 2006 and 52 percent reporting that in May 2004.”

Opinion Research Corporation conducted the survey on behalf of ICSC from June 14 -17, 2007. The survey featured a sample of 1,004 adults, 18 years of age and older, living in private households in the continental United States.

Compiled by the staff of Shopping Centers Today. © June 19, 2007 International Council of Shopping Centers.

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