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Selling to and Profiting From AbsPublished by: Mintel International Group Ltd. Published: Jun. 1, 2003 - 140 Pages Table of ContentsExecutive Summary ABs still growing Finance worries ABs nearly as much as war or terrorism Figure 1: The top five issues, men and women, by age, March 2003 The threat of terrorism abroad likely to affect the travel plans of older ABs Standard of living gap closing between ABs and the rest ABs aged 45-54 are least happy with living standards, retired men are happiest Childcare costs may impact on living standards for AB full-time working mothers Saving is important to younger ABs, credit to older ones Older men know most about money But they pay the price in higher anxiety ABs are still investing, however Interest rates worry women more than men ABs who are 'spenders not savers' are just as numerous as in other groups The cost of Higher Education looms as a threat to AB parents Anxiety about property values highest among the under-35s, the 55-64s, and southern ABs Making or changing their will is a current issue for one in four ABs ABs and the work/life balance Exercise gets the highest rating as a feelgood factor Figure 2: The top three aids to feeling better about life, men and women, by age, March 2003 AB satisfaction with life is generally high - but less so among 45-54s Introduction Abbreviations Demographic Background The question of class ABs in the population Figure 3: UK population profile, by socio-economic group, 1999-2007 Figure 4: ABs as a proportion of the UK population, 1999-2007 Demographic characteristics of ABs Figure 5: Comparison of demographic profiles - all adults and ABs, 2002 Figure 6: Demographic profiles of ABs aged 20+, 1999 and 2002 Figure 7: Demographic profiles of As and Bs aged 20+, 2002 Working patterns Figure 8: Working patterns of ABs and all adults aged 20+, 2002 Figure 9: Household working patterns of ABs and all adults aged 20+, 2003 Household income Figure 10: Household income of ABs and all adults aged 20+, 2003 Lifestage characteristics of ABs Figure 11: Comparison of profiles, by lifestage classification - all adults and ABs, 2002 Figure 12: Number of children per family adult - ABs and all adults, 2002 Home ownership Figure 13: Home ownership - ABs and all adults, 2002 ABs Today and Tomorrow Figure 14: 'I like to enjoy life and don't worry too much about the future' - all adults versus ABs, by gender and age group, 2002 Figure 15: 'I like to enjoy life and don't worry too much about the future' - ABs, by gender and working status, 2002 Figure 16: 'I like to enjoy life and don't worry too much about the future' - ABs, by gender and presence of children, 2002 Figure 17: Issues respondents are very worried about, ABs and all adults, March 2003 Figure 18: Issues respondents are worried about at all - ABs and all adults, March 2003 Figure 19: The most frequently mentioned issues that respondents are worried about, March 2003 Figure 20: Those very worried about any finance-related factor, and about any war/terrorism-related factor - ABs, by demographic sub-group, March 2003 Figure 21: Type of issue respondents are very worried about, by gender, March 2003 Figure 22: Those worried about the prospect of war - ABs, by demographic sub-group, March 2003 Figure 23: Those very worried about the prospect of war - ABs, by gender, age and family status, March 2003 Figure 24: Those worried about the threat of terrorism - ABs, by demographic sub-group, March 2003 Figure 25: Those very worried about the threat of terrorism - ABs, by gender, age and family status, March 2003 Figure 26: Those very worried about terrorism and war - ABs, by gender, March 2003 Figure 27: 'Carefree ABs', by demographic sub-group, March 2003 Figure 28: 'Carefree ABs' - ABs, by gender, age and family status, March 2003 Taking action Figure 29: Changes made in the last six months or planned in the next six months - ABs, March 2003 Figure 30: Changes made in the last six months or planned in the next six months - ABs with concerns about financial matters, March 2003 Figure 31: Changes made in the last six months or planned in the next six months - ABs with concerns about war/terrorism, March 2003 The marketing perspective ABs and their Money Are they happy with their standard of living? Figure 32: 'I am perfectly happy with my standard of living'- all versus ABs, by gender and age group, 1997 and 2002 Figure 33: 'I am perfectly happy with my standard of living'- all versus ABs, by marital status, 2002 Figure 34: 'I am perfectly happy with my standard of living'' - ABs, by gender and working status, 2002 Figure 35: 'I am perfectly happy with my standard of living'- ABs, by gender and presence of children, 2002 What is important to ABs? Figure 36: Things which are particularly important to current lifestyle - ABs and all adults, October 2002 Figure 37: Things which are particularly important to current lifestyle - ABs, by gender, October 2002 Figure 38: Things which are particularly important to current lifestyle - ABs, by age group, October 2002 Figure 39: Most frequently mentioned things which are particularly important to current lifestyle, ABs, by age group, October 2002 How much do they know about finance? Figure 40: Those agreeing that 'I feel fairly knowledgeable in the financial field' - all adults versus ABs, by gender and age group, 2002 Figure 41: Agreement that 'I feel fairly knowledgeable in the financial field' - ABs, by gender and working status, 2002 ABs and investments Figure 42: Those agreeing that 'I look for profitable ways to invest my money'- all adults versus ABs, by gender and age group, 2002 Figure 43: 'I look for profitable ways to invest my money'- ABs, by gender and working status, 2002 Figure 44: 'I follow the Stock Exchange prices' - all adults versus ABs, by gender and age group, 2002 Figure 45 'I follow the Stock Exchange prices' - ABs, by gender and working status, 2002 Figure 46: Those who are worried about the performance of the stock market - ABs, by demographic sub-group, March 2003 Figure 47: Those who are very worried about the performance of the stock market - ABs, by gender, age and family status, March 2003 Figure 48: 'Owning stocks and shares is too risky an investment for me' - ABs, by gender and age group, 2002 Save, spend or borrow? Figure 49: Those who are worried about low interest rates and their effect on savings - ABs, by demographic sub-group, March 2003 Figure 50: Those who are very worried about low interest rates and their effect on savings - ABs, by gender, age and family status, March 2003 Figure 51: Savings-related action taken in the last six months or planned in the next six months - ABs, by demographic sub-group, March 2003 Figure 52: Savings-related action taken in the last six months or planned in the next six months - Bs, by gender, age and family status, March 2003 Figure 53 'I prefer enjoying my money (spending it) rather than saving it'- all adults versus ABs, by gender and age group, 2002 Figure 54: Those agreeing that 'I prefer enjoying my money (spending it) rather than saving it'- ABs, by gender and working status, 2002 Figure 55: Saving versus borrowing - action taken in the last six months or planned in the next six months - ABs, by demographic sub-group, March 2003 Figure 56: Saving versus borrowing - actions taken in the last six months or planned in the next six months - ABs, by gender, age and family status, March 2003 Figure 57: Saving compared to borrowing - actions taken in the last six months or planned in the next six months - ABs, by gender and age, March 2003 Paying off debt Figure 58: Those who have paid off existing debts in the last six months or plan to do so in the next six months - ABs, by demographic sub-group, March 2003 Figure 59: Those who have paid off existing debts in the last six months or plan to do so in the next six months - ABs, by gender, age and family status, March 2003 ABs and taxation Figure 60: Those who are worried about higher taxes/National Insurance - ABs, by demographic sub-group, March 2003 Figure 61: Those who are very worried about higher taxes/National Insurance - ABs, by gender, age and family status, March 2003 ABs and the cost of higher education Figure 62: Those who are worried about the cost of Higher Education - ABs, by demographic sub-group, March 2003 Figure 63: Those who are very worried about the cost of Higher Education - ABs, by gender, age and family status, March 2003 ABs and property Figure 64: Those who are worried about the prospect of a fall in property values - ABs, by demographic sub-group, March 2003 Figure 65: Those who are very worried about the prospect of a fall in property values - ABs, by gender, age and family status, March 2003 Figure 66: Property-related financial action taken in the last six months or planned in the next six months - ABs, by demographic sub-group, March 2003 Figure 67: Property-related financial action taken in the last six months or planned in the next six months - ABs, by gender, age and family status, March 2003 Figure 68: Financial matters, those who are very concerned, by age and gender, March 2003 Looking further ahead Figure 69: Those who have made or changed their will during the last six months or plan to do so during the next six months - ABs, by demographic sub-group, March 2003 Figure 70: Those who have made or changed their will during the last six months or plan to do so during the next six months - ABs, by gender, age, and family status, March 2003 Does income have an effect on financial concerns and behaviour? Figure 71: Financial concerns - ABs, by household income group, March 2003 Figure 72: Savings-related financial action taken in the last six months or planned in the next six months - ABs by household income group, March 2003 Figure 73: Other financial action taken in the last six months or planned in the next six months - ABs, by household income group, March 2003 Figure 74: Property-related financial action taken in the last six months or planned in the next six months - ABs, by household income group, March 2003 The marketing perspective ABs and the Work/Life Balance The AB consumer and working life Attitudes towards work Figure 75: 'I look on the work I do as a career rather than just a job'- all working adults versus working ABs, by gender, 2002 Figure 76: 'I want to get to the very top in my career'- all working adults versus working ABs, by gender, 2002 Figure 77: Those looking on work as a career rather than just a job and those who want to get to the very top - ABs and all working adults, by gender, 2002 Figure 78: Reasons for working - ABs, by gender and working status, October 2002 Figure 79: Attitudes towards work, success and home life - ABs, by gender and working status, October 2002 Figure 80: Preferred ways of achieving work/life balance - ABs, by gender and working status, October 2002 Figure 81: Those who have made employment-related changes during the last six months or plan to do so during the next six months - ABs, by demographic sub-group, March 2003 Home life - what makes it easier? Figure 82: Aspects of lifestyle which are considered particularly important - ABs and all adults, October 2002 Figure 83: Factors considered particularly important for home location - ABs, by demographic sub-group, October 2002 Figure 84: Importance of factors for making life easier - ABs, by demographic sub-group, October 2002 Figure 85: Those agreeing that 'I spend a lot of food' - all adults versus ABs, by gender and age group, 2002 Figure 86: Agreement that 'I spend a lot on food' - ABs, by gender and presence of children, 2002 Figure 87: Those who have made home improvements during the last six months or plan to do so during the next six months - ABs, by demographic sub-group, March 2003 The marketing perspective What Makes Life Better for ABs? Figure 88: Things which make respondents feel better about life on a day-to-day basis - ABs and all adults, March 2003 Figure 89: Differences between ABs and all respondents regarding the things that make them feel better about life, March 2003 Figure 90: 'Healthy' versus 'unhealthy' aids to feeling better about life - all adults and ABs, by demographic sub-group, March 2003 Figure 91: 'Healthy' versus 'unhealthy' aids to feeling better about life - all adults and ABs, by gender, March 2003 Exercise and sport Figure 92: Exercise and sport as aids to feeling better about life - ABs, by demographic sub-group, March 2003 Figure 93: Exercise and sport as aids to feeling better about life - ABs, by gender, age and family status, March 2003 Figure 94: Those agreeing that 'I do some form of sport or exercise at least once a week' - all adults versus ABs, by gender and age group, 1997 and 2002 Figure 95: Agreement that 'I do some form of sport or exercise at least once a week' - ABs, by gender and working status, 2002 Vitamins and alternative treatments Figure 96: Vitamins and alternative treatments as aids to feeling better about life - ABs, by demographic sub-group, March 2003 Figure 97: Vitamins and alternative treatments as aids to feeling better about life - ABs, by gender, age and family status, March 2003 Drinking alcohol Figure 98: Drinking alcohol (in or out of home) as an aid to feeling better about life - ABs, by demographic sub-group, March 2003 Figure 99: Drinking alcohol (in or out of home) as an aid to feeling better about life - ABs, by gender, age and family status, March 2003 Sweets and chocolate Figure 100: Those for whom eating sweets and chocolate is an aid to feeling better about life - ABs, by demographic sub-group, March 2003 Figure 101: Those for whom eating sweets and chocolate is an aid to feeling better about life - ABs, by gender, age and family status, March 2003 Eating out Figure 102: Those for whom eating out is an aid to feeling better about life - ABs, by demographic sub-group, March 2003 Figure 103: Those for whom eating out is an aid to feeling better about life - ABs, by gender, age and family status, March 2003 Figure 104: 'I enjoy splashing out on a meal in a restaurant'- all adults versus ABs, by gender and age group, 2002 Figure 105 'I enjoy splashing out on a meal in a restaurant' - ABs, by gender and working status, 2002 Figure 106: 'I enjoy splashing out on a meal in a restaurant' - ABs, by gender and presence of children, 2002 Figure 107: 'I often eat in good restaurants'- all adults versus ABs, by gender and age group, 2002 Figure 108: 'I often eat in good restaurants' - ABs, by gender and working status, 2002 Figure 109: 'I often eat in good restaurants'- ABs, by gender and presence of children, 2002 Buying clothes Figure 110: Those for whom buying clothes is an aid to feeling better about life - ABs, by demographic sub-group, March 2003 Figure 111: Those for whom buying clothes is an aid to feeling better about life - ABs, by gender, age and family status, March 2003 Holidays and travel Figure 112: Those for whom weekends away/short breaks are an aid to feeling better about life - ABs, by demographic sub-group, March 2003 Figure 113: Those for whom weekends away/short breaks are an aid to feeling better about life - ABs, by gender, age and family status, March 2003 Figure 114: Those agreeing that 'I enjoy planning holidays' - all adults versus ABs, by gender and age group, 1997 and 2002 Figure 115: Travel-related actions taken in the last six months or planned in the next six months - ABs, by demographic sub-group, March 2003 Figure 116: The top five aids to feeling better about life, men and women, by age, March 2003 The marketing perspective What Does the Future Hold for ABs? Figure 117: 'I am very happy with my life as it is' - all adults versus ABs, by gender and age group, 2002 Figure 118: 'I am very happy with my life as it is' - all adults versus ABs, by gender and age group, by index, 2002 Figure 119: 'I am very happy with my life as it is' - ABs, by gender and working status, 2002 Figure 120: Agreement that 'I am very happy with my life as it is' - ABs, by gender and presence of children, 2002 Optimist or pessimist? Figure 121: 'I am optimistic that I will be able to maintain or improve my current lifestyle over the next three years' - ABs and all adults, March 2003 Figure 122 'I am optimistic that I will be able to maintain or improve my current lifestyle over the next three years' - ABs, by demographic sub-group, March 2003 Figure 123: 'I am optimistic that I will be able to maintain or improve my current lifestyle over the next three years' - ABs, by gender, age and family status, March 2003 Figure 124: 'I am optimistic that I will be able to maintain or improve my current lifestyle over the next three years' ABs, by household income group, March 2003 Figure 125: Future concerns - ABs, October 2003 Figure 126: Future concerns - ABs, by gender, October 2003 Figure 127: Future concerns - ABs, by age group, October 2003 Figure 128: Future concerns - ABs, by region, October 2003 Figure 129: The top five future concerns - men and women, by age group, October 2003 Appendix: Research methodology Index of reports AbstractThe last Mintel report to focus on the spending habits and attitudes of consumers in the AB socio-economic group (professional/higher managerial occupations) in the UK was published in 2001. Since then, times have got harder for all consumers, with the effects of harsher economic conditions and insecurity caused by world events combining to create a considerably gloomier outlook.Original research commissioned for this report in March 2003 explored the reactions of consumers in general, and ABs in particular, to the threats posed by war and terrorism, and to specific financial issues. It also looked at any actions they have taken recently, or plan in the near future, which may have been prompted by these events and issues, and also at the things which may help them to feel better about life on a day-to-day basis. In order to focus particularly on AB householders, the research findings concentrate on those aged 20+. (Respondents are classified according to the occupation of the head of their household, and those under 20 who are classified as ABs are unlikely to be householders themselves.) Sample numbers were 3,707 adults aged 20+, including 828 in the AB group. The report also draws on other recent Mintel research, and findings from BMRB's TGI survey, both reanalysed to pinpoint the findings relating to ABs aged 20+, and to compare them with others in this age group. Get Full Details About This Report >> |
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