The Jungle Scout Consumer Trend Report for the third quarter reveals more consumers, 41%, spent about the same amount during the period compared to the second quarter than those whose spending declined, 35%, or increased, 24%.
At the same time, the Amazon selling platform operation stated online spending gained more than overall spending for a larger number of consumers in the third quarter, as 30% said their digital outlays increased compared to the second quarter, with 39% saying it stayed the same and about 31% saying it decreased. The 30% of those shoppers who increased digital spending is as high a proportion as it has been since the third quarter of 2022, when online spending increased for 33% of consumers.
When it comes to Jungle Scout’s Home and Kitchen categories, 16% of consumers bought more in third quarter versus the second quarter, 39% bought the same and 27% bought less. In a category that has been hot, 19% of consumers said they bought more Beauty and Personal Care products in the third quarter versus the second quarter, 49% the same and 22% less. In Garden & Outdoors, 16% bought more in the third quarter versus the second quarter, 28% bought the same and 27% bought less, although seasonality may play into the differences between the second- and third-quarter readings. Cleaning suppliers gained sharply with 23% buying more in the third quarter compared to the second quarter, 54% buying the same and 17% less. For groceries, 31% purchased more in the third quarter versus the second quarter, 49% the same and 17% less.
As for top in-store shopping destinations, 60% of consumers cited Walmart, 22% Target, 16% Home Depot, 15% Walgreens and 14% Amazon-operated physical stores. Online, Amazon was the top choice, cited by 65%, followed by Walmart, 38%; eBay, 16%; Apple, 11%; and Target, 10%.
