Consumers cut spending, wait for sales

A shopper browses apparel on sale at a department store. Thai consumers have cut back their spending this year amid rising inflation, according to a recent study.  Weerawong Wongpreedee

Thai consumers have cut back their spending this year amid rising inflation, but more than half plan to make digital purchases during the sales season, while online shopping across Southeast Asia declined from last year, a recent study revealed.

The "Inflation & Shopping in the Digital Age" survey, conducted in November, found inflation affected the spending of more than 9,000 consumers in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines this year.