Hard to believe: blokes shop more than women on holiday

Hard to believe: blokes shop more than women on holiday
By admin


Australian men are more likely to be bigger spenders and buy something nice for their spouses while travelling, a new survey on holiday shopping habits has revealed.

Some 1000 people took part in the survey, commissioned by Princess Cruises Holiday Shopping Study and found 27% of men say they purchase a gift for their partner while on holiday, compared to only 7% of women. The study found 54% of women mainly shopped for themselves.

More than 60% said they indulged in retail therapy at least three times a trip, while a further 15% said they couldn’t face the day without going shopping.

54% of couples said they preferred shopping together, but once again men were more enamoured with their partners with 67% saying they preferred it to shopping alone.

The least favoured holiday shopping companions were children (2.5%) and parents (2.3%).

Men are also big spenders with 40% saying they spent more than $500 while shopping on holidays compared to 35% of women, splurging the most on clothes and shoes.

“We knew Australians loved to shop but we had no idea they dedicated so much of their precious holiday time to shopping,” Princess Cruises’ spokesperson Meg Koffel said. 

“It’s fascinating to see how “holiday mode” can alter the way Aussies behave, with men spoiling their partners and something like shopping together as a couple – often a no-go zone back home – becoming much more appealing in the relaxed confines of a holiday.”

Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess returned to Australia for the summer season following a multi-million dollar dry dock which saw the addition of new luxury boutiques offering designer brands such as Burberry, Coach and Salvatore Ferragamo as well as OMEGA watches and Swarovski crystals.

“Thankfully there is no baggage limit on cruise ships as we expect our passengers will be filling more than a few Christmas stockings with their Melbourne shopping haul,” Koffel said.

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]