A second major study on the effects of rising gas prices on consumer spending suggests media and entertainment are not being impacted - yet. TNS, which surveyed 622 Americans via phone on Sept. 10 and
11, found people are shopping around for better gas prices, but half are not letting the higher energy costs influence their shopping habits. Categories that are being most impacted include
discretionary food items, such as soft drinks, cookies, candies and snacks, as well as laundry and household cleaning items. For now, at least, consumers are maintaining their spending on
prescriptions and other health and personal hygiene items. Earlier this week, AC Nielsen released a report indicating consumers are shifting their product spending for various categories, including
entertainment media. -- Joe Mandese
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