Consumer Behavior

Emotions drive over half of American spending

Photo: Adobe Stock

August 5, 2025

More than half, 63%, of American consumers shop emotionally and 74% state it leads to overspending.

Those are top findings from a LendingTree survey that also revealed emotional influence negatively impacted the financial well being for 44% of consumers polled.

The survey reported that 38% of consumers said the current economic uncertaintly has made them spend more, according to a press release.

Nearly half, 47%, engage in retail therapy to improve their mood and 52% of emotional spenders reported that buy now, pay later loans have made them more likely to engage in emotional spending, led by 62% of Gen Zers.