Amex Trendex Finds Travel and Experience Is on Consumers’ Minds

The latest installment of Amex Trendex, a monthly trend report from American Express that surveys consumers across the U.S., U.K., Australia, Japan, Mexico, India and Canada on financial plans, found that consumers are prioritizing personal wellbeing with more time at home while dreaming of travel in 2021.

The survey was conducted between Sept. 29 and Oct. 9, and polled consumers with a household income of at least $70,000 or country equivalent.

“Over the past several months, our Amex Trendex has shown that consumers’ overall optimism around spending is increasing, especially when it comes to spending online and with local and small businesses,” said Rachel Stocks, executive vice president, global premium products and benefits at American Express “As we approach the holiday shopping season and New Year we hope that this trend will continue.”

According to Amex, consumers are seeking out some sort of normalcy, despite the current environment, during the holiday season. In fact, 64 percent of respondents told the company they think of giving and getting gifts and celebrating as a way to reconnect with life before the pandemic. And at the same time while 67 percent said the pandemic has made them “more conscious of holiday season spending,” though 48 percent said they still plan to spend more on holiday season gifts this year compared to last year.

An international trip was found to be a top wish-listed item in the survey, with 54 percent saying they are very interested in traveling internationally in 2021, with 58 percent of respondents saying the same for a domestic trip. Another 58 percent of consumers also said they are “very interested” in receiving an experience as a gift this year.

With 2020 marking the year many consumers discovered new ways to practice fitness and wellness at home, Amex found the trend will likely continue with 70 percent of respondents saying they are more likely to care about fitness moving forward and 68 percent agreeing they have an increased appreciation for fitness. Notably, 57 percent of respondents in the U.S., Canada and Mexico said they will likely use the upcoming daylight savings time to focus on wellness.

And consumes are shifting spending trends in activewear too. Forty-five percent of consumers said they are spending more on activewear this year compared to previous years. However, 64 percent agree they are “wearing activewear to lounge in more than to work out” this year. Still, 27 percent of adults ranked eating healthier as their top priority in personal wellness for next year.

Moreover, the Trendex found New Year’s resolutions have largely been reevaluated during the pandemic with 51 percent of consumers saying they had changed their 2020 resolutions during the pandemic and 60 percent agreeing their 2021 resolution will be to “take more vacation time than they did in 2020.”

For More WWD Business News:

Brex Introduces Instant Payouts and Tailored Rewards

Reports Reveal Disproportionate Impact on Women Amid Pandemic

Ultracor’s New Collection Takes Fashion-Meets-Function to New Heights

Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.