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AUTOMOTIVE
TRENDS:
Women
purchase more than 50% of all new vehicles, an $83 billion market, and influence
85% of all auto purchases. They spend another $300 billion on used cars, repairs,
parts, service, and maintenance. These
women own their own vehicles with a vast majority doing their own research, and
making the purchasing decision themselves. They like to drive and do most of it
in families for not only work but for errands and carpooling as well. TRAVEL
TRENDS:
Women
business travelers have increased by 5000% since 1970, comprising 40% of all business
travelers, a $56 billion market. Women influence 85% of all travel decisions. BUSINESS
TRENDS:
Women
own 38% of all U.S. businesses, employing 14 million Americans, and contributing
$3.6 trillion to the national economy. Due to the financial independence gained
by women over the past 20 years from business ownership to corporate leadership
to political advancements, nearly every market segment is showing significant
growth. INTERNET
TRENDS:
A
report by Millward Brown Intelliquest commissioned by MSN found that 78% of women
reported that they used the Internet to get product information prior to making
a purchase. The 2002 study also notes that 69% of the women surveyed go online
daily. DO-IT-YOURSELF:
Female
DIY vehicle maintainers now make up one-third of all DIYers in US households,
according to a market research study released by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry
Association (AAIA). The Aftermarket Consumer: Do-it-yourself or Do-it-for-Me study
reveals that from 1994 to 2000, female DIYers increased from 27 percent to 34
percent. SAFETY
TRENDS:
Women
do extensive research and will spend more to ensure that a vehicle meets safety
standard requirements before purchasing it citing safety as their number one priority
for themselves and their families. Personal safety is cited as the number one
concern when traveling alone, therefore, women travelers seek hotels, restaurants
and entertainment that are positioned in safe and well-lit areas. TECHNOLOGY
TRENDS:
Women
have surpassed men in purchasing and using technology such as laptops, Palm pilots,
cell phones, DVD players, digital cameras, and computers. Not only is the technology
easy to use, it also provides convenience and speed keeping busy women connected
to family, friends and work. According to the Consumer Electronics Association,
women actually spent more on technology last year than men. It said that women
accounted for $55 billion of the $96 billion spent on electronics gear. HOME
OWNERSHIP TRENDS:
Female
home ownership has grown by more than 50% in the past 10 years. Studies show that
many women are no longer remarrying after death or divorce, especially over 45.
They're also staying single longer or choosing not to marry at all. Due to the
rise in financial independence, more women now have their own disposable income
and are making their own major purchasing decisions. RTM
Demographics: Click Here. | 
