Consumers Doing More Shopping Online

Consumers may be opting for online shopping more frequently as gas prices rise. A survey conducted by Amplitude Research for PriceRunner.com found 22 percent of those surveyed are making more purchases online to save the cost of driving. The survey, conducted between April 6 and April 9, polled 1,000 consumers nationwide. Among the other findings, 55 percent said they were reducing general driving when possible; 39 percent said they were reducing spending on luxury items; 28 percent said they were changing their vacation plans; and 22 percent said they were reducing spending on regular items including groceries. PriceRunner.com, a unit of ValueClick Inc. in Westlake Village, provides online comparison shopping services.