While it can often lead to debt and regret, retail therapy is a frequently utilized coping mechanism for many American shoppers when faced with stress. Per a recent Lending Tree survey, 63% of American consumers claim to be emotionally influenced when shopping, with more than half of that number (38%) feeling driven to shop more because of their economic and financial worries.
Additionally, many of those polled by Lending Tree admitted that shopping and spending can improve their mood in the short term and will chase that high even when their shopping spree leaves them in debt (something that 43% of those polled admitted to incurring via retail therapy).
