Survey shows Filipinos cut nonessential spending

Filipinos are still cutting back on spending for non-essential items as the devastation caused by Typhoon Ondoy continues to influence their buying habits, a market research firm said.

According to Synovate, about 60 percent of consumers that the firm has surveyed have lessened their purchases of goods that were considered “not a necessity or had to be sacrificed to cut down on expenses” in general as an effect of the typhoon.

“Ondoy did not only have the emotional repercussions among Filipinos, as its aftermath also has its huge financial backlash,” Carole Sarthou, Synovate Philippines managing director, said.

For this survey, the firm polled 1,000 people in Metro Manila, aged between 15 and 64 from across all socio-economic levels.

Results showed that 57 percent of respondents said they reduced expenses on food and beverage such as biscuits, branded fresh meat, bread and bread spreads, canned fish and meat, powdered iced tea, processed meats like bacon and hotdog, snacks and soft drinks.

Forty-six percent of respondents said they bought fewer baby and personal care as well as beauty and health products, including health supplements, lotions, moisturizers, shampoos and whitening products.

Purchases of books, cigarettes, jewelry and pet food also slowed down, Synovate said.

“Indeed, tragedies like that make people think twice about what is important and help them sort out their priorities in all aspects of living,” she said. –Ben Arnold O. De Vera, Manila Times