American Lifestyles - US - December 2004

SUMMARY

American Lifestyles presents the most up-to-date look at the American consumer. First, an exhaustive breakdown of demographic characteristics examines distinctive population and household characteristics. These describe the American population by education, age, race, and a host of other factors.

The report then examines American lifestyles according to the "money out - money in" equation. The most current employment and income figures for specific demographic groups situate the American consumer on the "money in" side of the equation. The second half of the report provides analysis of the "money out" side, examining the spending patterns of these consumers by major expenditure area and age group.

Some of the major themes covered include housing; transportation and vacation; food and beverages; health and healthcare; entertainment; and personal goods.

In order to give context to this analysis, Mintel based its organization on important themes and trends that stood out in 2004. This involved sourcing information and market figures from a large quantity of Mintel research published during 2004. Rather than providing specific in-depth information on a single market, the aim of this report is to give the reader an overall feel for the American consumer and the most important factors influencing markets in 2004.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION AND ABBREVIATIONS

• Introduction
• Other Relevant Reports
• Abbreviations & Terms
• Abbreviations
• Terms

SUMMARY OF THEMES AND TRENDS

• Population
• Population Characteristics
• Household Characteristics
• Employment and Income
• Consumer Expenditures
• Housing
• Transportation and Vacation
• Food and Beverages
• Health and Healthcare
• Entertainment
• Personal Goods

THE POPULATION

• Population by age and gender
• Figure 1: U.S. population by age, 2005
• Graph 1: U.S. population by age, 2005
• Figure 2: U.S. population by age, 2000-2010
• Graph 2: Number of births in the U.S. from 1909 to 2002
• Figure 3: U.S. population by generation, 2005
• Figure 4: U.S. population by age and gender, 2005
• Graph 3: Sex ratio of the population by age, 2005
• Figure 5: Age distribution of the U.S. population by gender, 2005
• Population by race and Hispanic origin
• Figure 6: U.S. population by race and Hispanic origin, 2000-2010
• Graph 4: Black, Hispanic, and Asian shares of U.S. population, 2000-2010
• Figure 7: U.S. population by age and race/Hispanic origin, 2005
• Figure 8: Distribution of race/Hispanic origin segments, by age, 2005
• Figure 9: U.S. population by region and race/Hispanic origin, 2004
• Graph 5: U.S. population by region and race, 2004
• Graph 6: Hispanic share of regional populations, 2004
• Births
• Figure 10: Births by age of mother, 2002
• Figure 11: Births by race and Hispanic origin of mother, 2002

POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS

• Marital status
• Figure 12: Marital status by age, 2003
• Graph 7: Percentage of the U.S population that is married, by age, 2003
• Figure 13: Marital status by age and gender, 2003
• Figure 14: Marital status by race and Hispanic origin, 2003
• Graph 8: Marital status by race and Hispanic origin, 2003
• Figure 15: Marital status by age and race/Hispanic origin, 2003
• Figure 16: People living in unmarried-couple households, by age, 2003
• Figure 17: People living in unmarried-couple households, by age andgender, 2003
• Education
• Figure 18: Educational attainment, by age, 2003
• Figure 19: Educational attainment, by generation, 2003
• Graph 9: Educational attainment, by generation, 2003
• Figure 20: Educational attainment, by age and gender, 2003
• Figure 21: Educational attainment, by age and race/Hispanic origin, 2003
• Figure 22: School enrollment, by age, 2003
• Figure 23: College enrollment, by age, 2003
• Graph 10: Distribution of college students by age, by age, 2003
• Figure 24: College enrollment, by age and gender, 2003
• Figure 25: College enrollment, by age, gender, and race/Hispanic origin,2003
• Geographic mobility
• Figure 26: People who moved within the previous year, by age, 2003
• Figure 27: People who moved within the previous year, by race andHispanic origin, 2003
• Graph 11: People who moved in the previous year by race/Hispanic origin,2003
• Figure 28: People who moved within the previous year, by age andgeography of move, 2003
• Figure 29: People who moved within the previous year, by race/Hispanicorigin and geography of move, 2003
• Figure 30: Reason for moving, 2003
• Figure 31: Reason for moving by age, 2003
• Figure 32: Reason for moving by race/Hispanic origin, 2003
• Foreign-born population
• Figure 33: Foreign-born population, by age, 2003
• Figure 34: Foreign-born population, by age and region of birth, 2003
• Graph 12: Foreign-born population, by age and region of birth, 2003

HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS

• Households by age, race, and Hispanic origin
• Figure 35: U.S. households by age of householder, 2004
• Graph 13: U.S. households by age of householder, 2003
• Figure 36: U.S. households by race and Hispanic origin of householder,2004
• Figure 37: U.S. households by region, 2004
• Figure 38: Households by region and age of householder, 2003
• Figure 39: Households by region and race/Hispanic origin of householder,2004
• Figure 40: Distribution of households across regions by race/Hispanicorigin of householder, 2004
• Graph 14: Distribution of households across regions by race/Hispanicorigin of householder, 2004
• Metropolitan status
• Figure 41: U.S. households by metropolitan status, 2004
• Figure 42: U.S. households by metropolitan status and race/Hispanicorigin of householder, 2004
• Figure 43: Distribution of households within areas of differentmetropolitan status, by race and Hispanic origin of householder, 2004
• Presence of children
• Figure 44: Presence of children in households, by age of householder,2003
• Graph 15: Shares of households with and without children, by age ofhouseholder, 2003
• Figure 45: Presence of children in households, by race and Hispanicorigin of householder, 2003
• Figure 46: Presence of children in family households, by household type,2003
• Household type and size
• Figure 47: U.S. households, by type, 2004
• Figure 48: U.S. households, by type and age of householder, 2004
• Figure 49: Distribution of households by type across age groups, 2004
• Figure 50: U.S. households, by type and race/Hispanic origin ofhouseholder, 2004
• Figure 51: U.S. households, by size, 2004
• Graph 16: U.S. households, by size, 2003
• Figure 52: U.S. households, by size and race/Hispanic origin ofhouseholder, 2004

EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME

• Employment
• Employment by age
• Figure 53: Labor force participation, by age, 2003
• Employment by age and gender
• Figure 54: Labor force participation, by age and gender, 2003
• Graph 17: Percentage of men and women in the labor force, by age, 2003
• Employment by age and Hispanic origin
• Figure 55: Labor force participation, by age and race/Hispanic origin,2003
• Employment by Occupation
• Figure 56: Employed people, by occupation, 2003
• Employment by occupation and gender
• Figure 57: Employed people, by occupation and gender, 2003
• Employment by occupation and race/Hispanic origin
• Figure 58: Employed people, by occupation and race/Hispanic origin, 2003
• Income
• Income by Age
• Figure 59: Median household income by age of householder, 2003
• Figure 60: Median household income per household member, by age ofhouseholder, 2003
• Figure 61: Household income distribution, by age of householder, 2003
• Income by type of household
• Figure 62: Median household income, by type of household, 2003
• Income by Race and Hispanic Origin
• Figure 63: Median household income, by race and Hispanic origin ofhouseholder, 2003
• Graph 18: Median household income by race and Hispanic origin ofhouseholder, 2003
• Figure 64: Median household income per household member, by race andHispanic origin of householder, 2003
• Figure 65: Household income distribution, by race and Hispanic origin ofhouseholder, 2003

TRENDS IN CONSUMER EXPENDITURES

• Overview
• Figure 66: Average overall expenditures of CUs, by major spendingcategory, 1998-2002
• Housing expenditures
• Figure 67: Average housing expenditures of CUs, 1998-2002
• Transportation expenditures
• Figure 68: Average transportation expenditures of CUs, 1998-2002
• Expenditures on food and beverages at home
• Figure 69: Average expenditures of CUs for food and beverages at home,1998-2002
• Expenditures on food and beverages away from home
• Figure 70: Average expenditures of CUs for food and beverages away fromhome, 1998-2002
• Healthcare expenditures
• Figure 71: Average healthcare expenditures of CUs, 1998-2002
• Entertainment expenditures
• Figure 72: Average entertainment expenditures of CUs, 1998-2002
• Apparel expenditures
• Figure 73: Average apparel expenditures of CUs, 1998-2002
• Other expenditures
• Figure 74: Average expenditures of CUs on other goods/services,1998-2002

HOUSING

HOMEOWNERSHIP

• Overview
• Figure 75: Homeownership by age of householder, 2003
• Housing expenditures
• Figure 76: Average housing expenditures of all CUs, by age of referenceperson, 2002
• Figure 77: Average per capita housing expenditures of all CUs, by age ofreference person, 2002
• Figure 78: Share of total housing expenditures of all CUs, by age ofreference person, 2002

THEMES AND TRENDS IN HOUSING EXPENDITURES

• Keeping the Home Clean
• Figure 79: Consumer cleaning behavior, February 2004
• Figure 80: Consumer satisfaction with cleanliness of home, by cleaningapproach, February 2004
• Figure 81: Consumer cleaning behavior, by household income, February2004
• Aromatherapy-Beyond Personal Care
• Household Cleaning Products Are a $3.3 Billion Industry
• Figure 82: Retail sales of household cleaning products, at current andconstant prices, 1999-2004
• Keeping Dishes Clean
• Figure 83: Retail sales of dishwashing products, at current and constantprices, 1999-2004
• New Appliances Shape Laundry Industry
• Keeping Clothes Clean
• Figure 84: Total U.S. retail sales of home laundry products, at currentand constant prices, 1999-2004
• Keeping the Home Water Supply Safe and Pure
• Figure 85: Ownership of water filter or purifier, by age, October 2003
• Sales of Home Water Purification Units
• Figure 86: Retail sales of water filtration/purification products, atcurrent and constant prices, 1999-2004
• Household Paper Products-Functional and Aesthetic
• Sales of Household Paper Products
• Figure 87: Total U.S. retail sales of paper products, at current andconstant prices, 1999-2004

TRANSPORTATION & VACATION

OVERVIEW

• Figure 88: Average transportation expenditures of all CUs, by age ofreference person, 2002
• Figure 89: Average per capita transportation expenditures of all CUs, byage of reference person, 2002
• Figure 90: Average per vehicle expenditures of all CUs, by age ofreference person, 2002
• Figure 91: Share of total transportation expenditures of all CUs, by ageof reference person, 2002

THEMES AND TRENDS IN TRANSPORTATION & VACATION

• The Current "State of the Automobile Fleet"
• Figure 92: Total U.S. registered automobiles and estimated passengerautomobile miles driven, 1998-2003
• New car sales
• Figure 93: Total U.S. volume sales and leasing of cars and light trucks,1999-2004
• Type of cars sold
• Figure 94: New light truck and car sales segmented by type, 1999-2004
• Aftermarket Sales
• Figure 95: Total U.S. retail sales of aftermarket accessories andspecialty products, at current and constant prices, 1999-2004
• Tire Sales
• Figure 96: Total U.S. retail sales of replacement passenger tires, atcurrent and constant prices, 1999-2004
• Figure 97: Total U.S. retail sales of replacement passenger tires, byunits sold, 1998-2003
• Modes of Travel for Domestic Trips
• Figure: 98 Mode of travel, last domestic trip, 2001-2003
• Car Rental Revenues Decline
• Figure 99: Total U.S. car rental revenues, at current and constantprices, 1999-2004
• Figure 100: Total U.S. rental car fleet size, all rental companies,1998-2003
• Short Breaks: A Recovering Segment of the Vacation Industry
• Figure 101: Total U.S. retail sales of short breaks, at current andconstant prices, 1999-2004

FOOD AND BEVERAGES AT HOME

OVERVIEW

• Figure 102: Average expenditures of all CUs for food and beverages athome, by age of reference person, 2002
• Figure 103: Average per capita expenditures of all CUs for food andbeverages at home, by age of reference person, 2002
• Figure 104: Share of total expenditures of all CUs for food andbeverages at home, by age of reference person, 2002

THEMES AND TRENDS IN AT-HOME EATING

• The Obesity Epidemic
• Figure 105: Dieting behavior, January 2003-September 2003
• Figure 106: Usage of weight-loss or diet programs, by gender and age,April 2003
• Figure 107: Diet schemes followed, 2002 2003, and 2004
• Low-Carb Diet Scheme Gets Media Attention
• Figure 108: Incidence of change in consumption of key food and drinkproducts in the last year, February 2004
• Indulgence is Counter Trend to Dieting
• Figure 109: Opinions about fattening foods, January 2003-September 2003
• Figure 110: Opinions about fattening foods, by specific demographiccharacteristics, January 2003-September 2003
• Figure 111: Opinions about snacking/sweets, January 2003-September 2003
• Salty Snack Consumption Illustrates Moderation of Indulgence Trend
• Figure 112: Sales of salty snacks, at current and constant prices,1998-2003
• Figure 113: Most important factor in buying salty snacks, January 2004
• Desire for Healthful Foods Drives Sales of Natural, Organic Products
• More Respondents Purchase Organic Foods and Beverages
• Figure 114: Purchasers of organic foods and beverages in past year,February 2002 and July 2004
• Food Safety as a Driver for Organic Food Purchases
• Figure 115: Level of concern about food safety, February 2002 and July2004
• Figure 116: Level of concern about food safety, by gender, February 2002and July 2004
• Figure 117: Level of concern about food safety, by age, February 2002and July 2004
• Spending on Organic Products
• Figure 118: Total U.S. retail sales of organic food and beverages, atcurrent and constant prices, 2001-2004
• Natural Products Also See Sales Growth
• Figure 119: Total U.S. retail sales of natural food and drink products,at current and constant prices, 2001-2004
• Figure 120: Sales of natural food and drink, segmented by product type,2002 and 2004
• Consumers Seek Convenience
• Figure 121: Food preparation habits, February 2004
• Consumer attitudes about cooking
• Figure 122: Food preparation attitudes and beliefs, January2003-September 2003
• Consumer opinions and behaviors toward easy to prepare meals
• Figure 123: Attitudes toward easy to prepare meals, January2003-September 2003
• Sales of Convenience-Oriented Products
• Figure 124: Total U.S. retail sales of meal kits, at current andconstant prices, 1999-2004
• Figure 125: Sales of shelf stable meals, at current and constant prices,1999-2004
• A New Type of Convenience?
• Figure 126: Meal types eaten at least three times in the previous week,February 2004

FOOD AND BEVERAGES AWAY FROM HOME

OVERVIEW

• Figure 127: Average expenditures of all CUs for food and beverages awayfrom home, by age of reference person, 2002
• Figure 128: Average per capita expenditures of all CUs for food andbeverages away from home, by age of reference person, 2002
• Figure 129: Share of total expenditures of all CUs for food andbeverages away from home, by age of reference person, 2002

SEGMENTING THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY

• Quick Service Restaurants
• Casual/Family Restaurants (Full Service)
• Pizza Restaurants
• Fast-Casual Restaurants
• Snack Shops (Primarily Dessert and Sweet Specialists)

THEMES AND TRENDS IN FOOD AWAY FROM HOME

• Market Size
• Figure 130: Restaurant expenditures in current and constant dollars,1999-2004
• Focus on Formats
• Quick Service
• 164
• Figure 131: Domestic quick-service restaurant sales, by restaurant type,2001 & 2003
• Casual/Family Restaurants
• Figure 132: Sales of casual and family restaurant chains, by type ofrestaurant, 2001 and 2003
• Pizza Restaurants
• Figure 133: Sales of pizza restaurants, segmented by primary type ofsales, 2001 & 2003
• Fast Casual
• Figure 134: Sales of fast-casual chains, by menu type, 2001 and 2003
• Desserts and Sweets Specialists
• Figure 135: Snack shop sales, by type, 2001 and 2003
• Themes and Trends in Away From Home Eating
• Too Busy to Cook
• Figure 136: Attitudes towards daily time pressure, August 2003
• Figure 137: Convenience and restaurant choice, February 2004
• Formats that depend on children, teens, and young adults
• Figure 138: Pizza restaurant visits, by age of head of household,January-September 2003
• Figure 139: Teen use of pizza restaurants, January-September 2003
• Figure 140: Pizza restaurant visits, by presence of children,January-September 2003
• Diet and Dieting: The Obesity Epidemic Affects Away From Home Dining
• Figure 141: Dieting behavior, January-September 2003

HEALTH AND HEALTHCARE

OVERVIEW

• Health Insurance Coverage
• Figure 142: Health insurance coverage by age, 2002
• Healthcare expenditures
• Figure 143: Average healthcare expenditures of all CUs, by age ofreference person, 2002
• Figure 144: Average per capita healthcare expenditures of all CUs, byage, 2002
• Figure 145: Share of total healthcare expenditures of all CUs, by age ofreference person, 2002

THEMES AND TRENDS IN HEALTHCARE SPENDING

• Wellness in All Aspects of Healthcare
• Figure 146: Reasons women go to day spas, by age, July 2002
• Wellness Initiatives Include Exercise, At Home and in Health Clubs
• Figure 147: Frequency of exercise per week, June 2002-May 2003
• Figure 148: Frequency of exercise per week, by age, June 2002-May 2003
• Figure 149: Health and fitness clubs total revenues, at current andconstant prices, 1999-2004
• Women and Health
• Postponed childbearing, fewer children
• Figure 150: Share of women who are childless, 1976 and 2002
• Menarche and Menopause
• Figure 151: Female population in the U.S., 2000, 2005, and 2010
• Figure 152: Number and percentage of women aged 40 or older who arepostmenopausal, 2004
• The Contraceptives Market
• Figure 153: Total U.S. retail sales of contraceptives, at current andconstant prices, 1999-2004
• Figure 154: Usage of contraceptives, by age, November 2003
• Feminine Hygiene Products
• Figure 155: Total U.S. FDM retail sales of sanitary protection andfeminine hygiene supplies, at current and constant prices, 1999-2004
• Self Diagnosis and Self Care
• Figure 156: Total U.S. sales of home diagnostics, at current andconstant prices, 1999-2004
• Figure 157: Total FDM sales of home diagnostics, by type, 2001 and 2003
• OTC Drugs Give Prescription Relief
• Figure 158: Total U.S. retail sales of analgesic products, at currentand constant prices, 1999-2004*
• Figure 159: Total U.S. retail sales of gastrointestinal remedies, atcurrent and constant prices, 1999-2004
• Feeling Good, Looking Good
• Figure 160: Overview of attitudes to health, by age, April 2001-May 2002
• Cosmetic Procedures to Enhance Physical Appearance
• Figure 161: Incidence of surgical procedures to slow the effects ofaging, by gender and age, January 2004
• Alternatives to Traditional Medicine
• Figure 162: Sales of selected herbal formulas and single herbs, 2001& 2003
• Figure 163: Purchase of homeopathic medicines or herbal supplements inthe past 6 months, January 2004
• Alternative Medicine Sales Declining
• Figure 164: Total U.S. retail sales of alternative medicine at currentand constant prices, 1999-2004
• Figure 165: Sales of the alternative medicine market, segmented byherbal and homeopathic remedies, 2001 & 2003

ENTERTAINMENT

ENTERTAINMENT EXPENDITURES

• Figure 166: Average entertainment expenditures of all CUs, by age ofreference person, 2002
• Figure 167: Average per capita entertainment expenditures of all CUs, byage of reference person, 2002
• Figure 168: Share of total entertainment expenditures of all CUs, by ageof reference person, 2002

THEMES AND TRENDS IN ENTERTAINMENT EXPENDITURES

• Introduction
• Consumer Interest in Emerging Technology
• Figure 169: Technology adoption status of consumers, May 2004
• Early lifecycle video products (ELVP)
• Figure 170: Incidence of owning ELVPs, May 2004
• Digital Video Recorders (DVRs)
• Overview
• Estimating the DVR Market Size
• Figure 171: Total U.S. DVR subscriptions, 1999-2004
• Flat Panel Televisions
• Overview
• Size of the Flat Panel TV Market
• Figure 172: Total U.S. retail sales of flat panel televisions, atcurrent and constant prices, 1999-2004
• Digital Music: MP3 Players
• Overview
• Growth of MP3 Player Sales
• Figure 173: Manufacturer sales of MP3 players, at current and constantprices, 1999-2004
• Figure 174: Retail sales of MP3 players, at current and constant prices,1999-2004
• Satellite Radio
• Overview
• Growth in the Satellite Radio Market
• Figure 175: Total U.S. subscription sales of satellite radio, at currentprices, 2001-2004
• Camera Phones: A New Technology
• Overview
• Sales of Camera Phones Continue to Grow
• Figure 176: Total U.S. unit sales of camera phones, 2002-2004
• Figure 177: Total global unit sales of camera phones, 2002-2004

PERSONAL GOODS

APPAREL EXPENDITURES

• Figure 178: Average apparel expenditures of all CUs, by age of referenceperson, 2002
• Figure 179: Average per capita apparel expenditures of all CUs, by ageof reference person, 2002
• Figure 180: Share of total apparel expenditures of all CUs, by age ofreference person, 2002
• Themes and Trends in Apparel Spending
• Figure 181: Total U.S. sales of apparel online and via catalogs, atcurrent and constant prices, 1999-2004

GROWING NUMBER OF WIRED HOMES SPUR ETAILING

• Figure 182: U.S. residential Internet connections, 1997-2005
• Who Shops Online?
• Figure 183: Penetration level of online apparel shoppers,January-September 2003
• Why They Shop Online
• Figure 184: Attitudes towards apparel distant shopping, July 2004
• The Disadvantages of Online Shopping
• Figure 185: Reasons for not distant shopping for clothes, July 2004

OTHER EXPENDITURES

• Overview
• Figure 186: Average expenditures of all CUs on other goods/services, byage of reference person, 2002
• Figure 187: Average per capita expenditures of all CUs on othergoods/services, by age of reference person, 2002
• Figure 188: Share of total expenditures of all CUs on othergoods/services, by age of reference person, 2002
• Themes and Trends in Other Expenditures
• Tobacco Products and Supplies
• Adult smoking trends
• Figure 189: Number of adult cigarette smokers, by gender, 1993-2001
• Figure 190: Index of adult cigarette smokers, by gender, 1997-2001
• Figure 191: Percentage of U.S. adult population who smoke, by gender,1993-2001
• Figure 192: Percentage of cigarette smokers aged 25 and older, byrace/ethnicity and educational attainment and among black males byeducational attainment, 1995-2001
• The Size of the Cigarette Market
• Figure 193: Total U.S. retail sales of cigarettes, at current andconstant prices, 1999-2004
• Figure 194: Cigarette users dollar, 1991-2003
• Figure 195: U.S. wholesale prices on premium brand cigarettes, 1995-2002
• Life Insurance
• The Size of the Life Insurance Market
• Figure 196: Value of individual life insurance premiums in the U.S.,1999-2004
• Graph 19: Annual percentage change of individual life insurancepolicies, premiums, and first-year premiums, 1996-2002
• Figure 197: Value of individual life insurance purchases and in-forcepolicies in the U.S., 1998-2003
• Figure 198: Volume of individual life insurance purchases and in forcepolicies in the U.S., 1999-2003
• Personal Care Products
• Hair Removal and Shaving Products
• The Size of the Shaving and Hair Removal Products Market
• Figure 199: Total U.S. retail sales of shaving and hair removalproducts, at current and constant prices, 1999-2004
• Trends in Hair Styling Products
• The Size of the Hair Styling Products Market
• Figure 200: Total U.S. FDM sales of hair styling products, at currentand constant prices, 1999-2004

APPENDIX: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

• Consumer Research
• Sampling & Weighting
• Presentation & Definition
• Further Analysis
• Trade Research
• Informal trade research
• Formal trade research
• Desk & Internet Research
• Sources
• Definitions
• Forecasts

APPENDIX: WHAT IS MINTEL?

• Mintel Reports
• Global New Products Database
• Comperemediaｮ
• Mintel Services
• POS+
• Mintel Consultancy