by Denise Elsbree

Women are powerful consumers!

Women account for 85% of all consumer purchases:

  • 94% of home furnishings
  • 93% of OTC pharmaceuticals
  • 93% of food
  • 92% of vacations
  • 91% of new homes
  • 89% of bank accounts
  • 85% of auto purchases
  • 81% of riding lawn mowers
  • 80% of healthcare
  • 66% of PCs
  • 57% of consumer electronics

In 2001, US women's purchasing power constituted the number 3 market in the world; the collective buying power exceeded the entire economy of Japan.

Women carry 76 million credit cards, 8 million more than men.

(sources: The Business and Professional Women's Foundation, TrendSight, Business Women's Network)