Internet coupon usage increased by 83%

Internet coupons are of increasing interest to US consumers, according to a recent analysis by consumer and media measurement firm Scarborough Research. 11% of households currently obtain coupons via the Internet, an 83% increase since 2005.

"Coupons are one of several economically-focused promotional tools that stores and product brands can use to get shoppers in the door and spending despite these uncertain economic times. And, the Internet provides an easy to use vehicle to search for coupons," stated Alisa Joseph, vice president, advertiser marketing services,Scarborough Research.

Other leading places for acquiring coupons include the mail (35% of households usually obtain coupons via the mail), in-store coupons (33%), preferred customer/loyalty cards (22%), in-store circulars (22%), weekday newspapers (17%), product packages (17%) and magazines (15%).

The demographic profile of Grocery Coupon Clipping Households illustrates that the appeal of coupons is wide-ranging. They are average for having children at home. People across all income brackets clip grocery coupons - however those with higher household incomes tend to be slightly more likely to clip grocery coupons.