Buy.com Customers Shop in the Nude?

In a new survey conducted by an independent market research firm on behalf of the Aliso Viejo-based online retailer Buy.com, a better economy topped Americans’ shopping list as the one gift they would pick for the world.

A total of 52 percent respondents listed an improved economic climate as their gift of choice, mirroring the optimistic outlook that is building with improved holiday spending. 

The survey also examined shopping behavior during the holiday season, which resulted in a few surprising discoveries.

When respondents were asked why they shop online, 43 percent said they liked the fact that they can shop while not fully dressed. Women outpaced men in preferring to shop in a state of undress—45 percent versus 42 percent. 

Other issues that were on American’s wish lists for the world included ending military involvement overseas, so troops could return home (19 percent) and feeding starving people (10 percent).

The Occupy movement ranked low on wish lists with only eight percent of respondents citing success of the movement in ending corporate greed.

According to the study, consumers continue to prefer the convenience of e-commerce, with the majority (61 percent) stating they shop either completely online or at least half of their shopping is done online.

Nearly half of respondents and the majority of young men ages 18-29 (80 percent) planned to use their mobile device to assist them while shopping. Of those planning to mobile shop, researching product information was the top use by nearly half of respondents, followed by comparison shopping and finally, consulting a family or friend about a product.