Retail therapy is real and costing consumers more than $1,500 a year

A Swap.com survey revealed retail therapy is costing consumers an average of $1,652 each year and making up more than a fifth of all purchases.

The survey, which asked Americans how and why they shop, indicated that the average consumer each month bought 12 retail items from a store and an additional six items online. They spent 65 hours shopping each year, according to a New York Post report.

More than 22 percent of shopping is done for pleasure than for necessities, and emotions play a big role in customer engagement.