Today, June 21, 2013, marks the first official day of summer and the longest day of the year. Summer is the time period when most families plan vacations and according to TripAdvisor 22% of people said their favorite thing about summer is spending time outdoors, 22% prefer the extended daylight hours, and 18% appreciate the warmer weather. TripAdvisor also reported that this summer 86% of people are planning a leisure trip and three out of four will be traveling by car. Unfortunately, the month of June has experience an uptick in average gas prices, (according to www.eia.gov thus far June’s average gas price is $3.64 versus last year’s $3.57). So how will fluctuating gas prices impact shopping behaviors, according to Prosper’s May Consumer Survey, 40% are shopping closer to home and 36% are taking fewer shopping trips. As a result retailers may see an increase in camping and grilling related products and more people may bike or walk to their favorite outdoor restaurant patio and these establishments may see the lengths of patrons visits increase.
