Do New Year's resolutions lead to changes in consumers' buying decisions? Do consumers spend more or less to reach their goals?
Those are a couple of questions Boston-based consulting firm Influence Central posed to more than 400 women this month to find out how resolutions affect consumer spending.
Nearly three quarters of those surveyed plan to spend more than $500 to reinvent themselves, the survey found, but respondents were divided on whether those investments will help them keep resolutions.
Not surprisingly, the top resolutions focused on health and fitness, with 43 percent hoping to get more exercise and lose weight.
More than a quarter said they want to take charge of finances.
Other goals included keeping in better contact with friends and family (16 percent), becoming "more mindful" (15 percent) -- such as by joining a yoga studio or downloading a mindfulness app -- learning a new skill, (14 percent), going back to school (8 percent) and launching a new business (7 percent).
If the resolutions hold true, it bodes well for certain sectors of the economy, according to the survey.
More than half of those who want to lose weight plan to spend more on diet-related food, while the staying-fit crowd plans to buy fitness clothing and shoes. More than 80 percent of those who want to eat healthier meals plan to spend more on groceries. If you're going back to school, you'll more than likely sign up for online classes.
The spending is justified, 88 percent of the women said, because it will result in positive change.
lorraine.mirabella@baltsun.com