Coupon Facts

• 86% of the United States population uses coupons.
• Shoppers saved approximately $2.6 billion last year by using coupons.
• The typical coupon was worth $1.15 savings in 2006
• Coupon users report an average of 11.5% savings on their grocery bill with coupons.
• Manufacturers offered more than approximately $330 billion in coupon savings in 2006.

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Coupons are more influential to 18-24 year olds in four out of eight categories measured, including Electronics, Apparel, Automotive and Telecommunications.

86% of 18-24 year old consumers say that finding coupons is a reason that they go through newspaper inserts and circulars

All Age Groups use Coupons!

Age	% using coupons
18-24	71%
25-34	87%
35-44	89%
45-54	85%
55-64	90%
65+	91%

Coupon users broken out by income:

Income	% using coupons
under $25,000	86%
$25-50,000	85%
$50-$75,000	88%
$75-$100,000	88%
$100,000+	81%

Source: Consumer Internet Survey Panel of 1,000 people

Coupon Use by Lifestage

51% of primary grocery shoppers said they started using coupons when purchasing things for themselves when still living at home

54% of primary grocery shoppers said they started using coupons when they were in college

78% of primary grocery shoppers said they started using coupons when they moved out on their own

88% of primary grocery shoppers said they started using coupons when they got married or moved in with a partner

92% of primary grocery shoppers said they started using coupons when they had a family

Source: Survey of 5,704 primary grocery shoppers. The base size fluctuated for each question because they were only answered by those who had gone through the applicable life stage.

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History of Coupons

1894	Coupons are born! Asa Candler, the druggist who bought the formula for Coca-Cola for $2,300, gives out handwritten tickets for a free glass of his new fountain drink.
1895	Next stop, the local grocer! C.W. Post distributes the first grocery coupon worth one cent towards his new health cereal, Grape Nuts.
1930's	Coupons are a staple in American households because of the Depression. Everyone needs to save money wherever possible, and clipping coupons clips weekly grocery bills.
1940's	Supermarkets sprout across the country and continue the coupon tradition that had begun in neighborhood groceries.
1957	The Nielsen Coupon Clearing House becomes the first clearing house devoted to coupon redemption. Coupons have created a new industry.
1965	One-half of Americans are now coupon users.
1975	Coupon popularity continues to grow. Over 35 billion coupons are distributed and 65% of American households clip!
1998	America celebrates the first National Coupon Month. Children create art designs of their favorite coupons in the 1st Annual Coupon Month.
1999	American shoppers learn how to be savvy by saving with coupons during National Coupon Month, Sept. 1999 and, real men are found to use coupons too.
2000	Parents learn how to involve children in saving with coupons for National Coupon Month 2000.
2001	Teachers use coupons to teach the value of money in the Fourth National Coupon Month.
2002	2002 Shoppers save $3 billion dollars by redeeming 3.8 billion coupons.
2003	77% of consumers report using coupons, making it one of the most popular shopping activities in America.
2004	79% of primary shoppers report that they have used coupons.
2005	74% of coupon shoppers have used coupons in the last month.
2006	71% of young adults (age 18-24) use coupons

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Where To Find Coupons

	In your local Sunday Newspaper. Inside you’ll find inserts loaded with coupons — more than 80% of all manufacturer's coupons issued in the United States are delivered in your Sunday paper.
	Look in the store. You’ll find coupons in the retailer’s advertising flyer, on the shelf, at kiosks, and even at the check-out. Turn your register receipt over – sometimes there will be coupons there too!
	Try samples offered in the store and you’ll often be offered a coupon to take home a package of the newest and greatest products.
	Check the product package. Your favorite brands want you to keep buying their product, so you’ll find coupons on the package, or inside, for the next purchase.
	Look on the internet. There are coupon sites where you can print coupons and find providers who will email you coupons. A product manufacturer’s Web site may offer coupons for brands you love. Don’t forget to check your favorite store’s Web site too for coupons! Be cautious online, however, of someone offering to sell you manufacturer coupons ... there’s no need to buy them when there are so many available free!
	Open your mail box – you’ll find coupons sent right to your door step. Put your name and address on coupons you redeem to get more coupons sent to you in the future.
	Magazines are another great source for coupons. You’ll find them right on the advertising page, or sometimes inserted between the magazine pages.
	Buy a local coupon book – many are sold by schools and community groups to raise funds for good causes.
	Smart coupon shoppers keep their eyes peeled for coupons – you’ll find them just about everywhere!

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