In an economic recession consumers tend to cut budgets but, if provided discounts, they will buy - 54% of adults say they would reduce discretionary spending, and 63% say they would not make a purchase if a deal isn’t available - according to a Harris Interactive survey.

Fully 86% of adults surveyed say they have used coupons or discount codes while shopping. But as economic slowdown pushes consumers to re-evaluate spending behaviors and tighten budgets, deal-seeking may become even more common:

• More than one in three adults (37%) say they would increase the use of coupons and discount codes during a recession.
• Among women, the figure is higher: 43% of them say they would do so, vs. 31% of men.

To find deals on discretionary purchases, adults are equally likely to look online as in stores (56% each). But they are less likely to look for deals elsewhere…

• Catalogs, brochures or flyers (46%)
• Coupon books (38%)
• Outlet malls (24%)
• Television (18%)

A copy of the full report, including a breakdown of regional and demographic data, can be found at http://www.retailmenot.com/harrispoll.

About the study: Harris Interactive (on behalf of Retailmenot.com) conducted the study online among 2,471 US adults age 18+, Feb. 13-15, 2008. Results were weighted as needed for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region, and household income.