Many Canadian men admit to being a last minute Christmas shopper, while women are more like to spread their gifts out over one or two months, a new study has found.

The MasterCard study conducted by Environics Communications placed Canadians into four categories, each of which represents a different style of shopping. From a last minute stopper to a super planner, each do their shopping differently.

"The MasterCard Holiday Shopper Classification provides an in-depth look into Canada's shopping behaviors during the holidays," said David MacDonald, Vice President, Environics Research Group. "Across the country, Canadians look forward to the holidays, but how they approach the season and their actions vary significantly by age, gender and location."

The first type of shopper is a last minute shopper, which 19 per cent of Canadians admit to being. This group does not have a shopping list, do not plan ahead of time, end up over spending ($2,000 or more) and spend more time looking for what to buy than actually buying gifts. Over two-thirds of the people in this group are men and you are likely to see a shopper from this group on Christmas Eve.

The next time of shopper is a pragmatic shopper, of which 30 per cent of shoppers belong to. This group is the least likely to over spend ($250 or less), take five hours or less shopping but have a hard time balancing their cheque books and timelines. People in this group are mostly likely located in Alberta or British Columbia and are spread evenly between male and female shoppers.

Shopaholics comprise the next group and make up 24 per cent of all shoppers. These shoppers love to make shopping lists, spend lots of time at the mall, add new names to their list all the time and are likely to overspend ($2,000 or more). Women dominate this group as they comprise 69 per cent of shopaholics. Here we see older shoppers (aged 55-64); shoppers who have adult children and are working part time. Ontario and Atlantic Canada have the most shopaholics.

The final group is super-planners, of which 27 per cent of Canadians belong. This is where the most cautious shoppers reside. They may do all their shopping in two hours, but the majority of time is spent planning what to buy and where the deals are. They spend more than a pragmatic shopper, but less than a shopaholic or last minute shopper ($500 or less). Women and middle-aged Canadians dominate this group, while one-quarter are mothers.

Some other interesting statistics found in the study are below.*

• 48% of Canadians will shop for 10 people or more;
• Atlantic Canadians (61%), Manitobans/Saskatchewans (65%), and Albertans (60%) say they will shop for more than 10 people;
• 10% Canadians plan to spend over $2,000 over Christmas
• 34% will spend under $500;
• 34% of shoppers say they will only make one or two trips to the mall;
• 40% of shoppers will take over 5 trips.

*SOURCE: Environics Communications

Merry Christmas, and happy shopping.

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