When it comes to what’s on the mind of shoppers in 2025, personal finances ranked among the top issues worrying Americans. The recent research, conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of SHEIN, polled 2,000 U.S. adults ages 18 and older across all 50 states about current societal issues and shopping habits.
Financial Concerns Remain Top of Mind
When asked which issues will have the greatest personal effect in the coming year, finances emerged as the leading concern among Americans. Notably:
- Inflation was the most pressing issue for Americans at 67%.
- Tax increases was the second most pressing issue at 43%.
- The impact of tariffs on the cost of goods was the third highest issue at 35%.
- Those ages 55+ expressed even higher concern across all these three categories (72%, 47%, and 45% respectively).
Least concerning? Education access and quality and childcare access ranked bottom of the pack, at 9% and 5%, respectively.
Key Factors in Clothing Retailer Selection
As inflation continues to shape consumer behavior, Americans greatly prioritize price and quality over other factors when selecting a clothing retailer. According to the survey:
- 80% cite price as the most important factor when selecting a retailer; this figure remains largely consistent with previous polling (79%) in June 2024.
- Consumers also place a lot of importance on brands that offer a variety of styles, making it easier for them to find what they want (56%).
Consumption Trends for Americans & SHEIN Customers
Americans continue to feel that clothing does not have to be expensive to deliver value while acknowledging the impact of limited budgets for their household:
- 72% of SHEIN customers (and 66% of all U.S. adults) report having a tight budget for clothing shopping.
- Almost all Americans (93%) agree they feel good when they’re able to buy the exact clothing style they want; this jumps to 97% specifically for SHEIN customers.
- SHEIN customers are unlikely to toss clothing when done with it – 92% say they try to avoid throwing clothes in the trash and 91% try to find ways to repurpose or recycle.
Overall, the findings from this study highlight the financial pressures weighing on American consumers, with inflation and tariffs emerging as key concerns. As economic challenges persist, price and quality remain paramount in shaping shopping behaviors, particularly in the clothing retail space. SHEIN customers, like many Americans, continue to seek affordability and value, prioritizing budget-conscious decisions.
Note: Two surveys were conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of SHEIN among U.S. adults aged 18 and older. The first survey was conducted from June 17-25, 2024, among 2,013 adults and the second survey was conducted Jan. 28 – Feb. 4, 2025, among 2,000 adults. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For these studies, the sample data is accurate to within +/-2.9 percentage points respectively using a 95% confidence level.
