Research: Consumers are Shopping and Spending Confidently When Using Digital Deals

New data from Minty shows consumers have become experts in finding the best value to save money and fund non-essential purchases despite ongoing inflation concerns

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--New consumer research from Minty, the first cashback and rewards app on ChatGPT, challenges gloomy consumer spending narratives. Its new study reveals that consumers have quietly and steadily developed confidence in their habitual ability to find value for their purchases via digital deals and promotions.

That confidence is translating into spending power. Nearly two-thirds of shoppers report that it has been easier to afford essentials this year compared to last, and for non-essential spending they're shopping much smarter. The majority (85%) report actively finding and using digital deals to stretch their budgets further.

“People are becoming smarter in how they’re shopping for everyday purchases and that’s making room in their budgets for fun or discretionary spending,” said Rodney Mason, chief marketing officer at Minty. “Shoppers have figured out how to spend in this economy and are signaling where and how retailers need to meet them to stay relevant and drive sales. Showing up in the right ecommerce channels is now essential to capturing high-intent, deal-savvy shoppers.”

Key findings from the March national survey of US adults with 97% confidence surface clear patterns for increasingly prevalent shopping behaviors:

Digital savings offers are table stakes for checkout. Nine in 10 respondents reported using digital savings, with the most appealing benefits being cashback, rewards, online shipping offers, exclusive or early access, and personalized offers.

Planning and digital promotions equate to cautious confidence. The majority of respondents (65%) cite planning purchases in advance as being instrumental in their ability to save. Eighty-five percent use online or email promotions, savings apps or browser extensions to save and 82% would consider using pop-up offers from a browser extension.

Shoppers zero in on deals across all categories. Essentials are reported to be easier to afford than last year by more than two-thirds of respondents, however non-essentials are comparably more challenging to afford. Shoppers reported using cashback and deal stacking for both types of purchases to stretch their dollars further.

Value-conscious women are leading the charge. Among respondents, 60% described their shopping style as focused on the best value as opposed to brand-loyal or convenience-based. While men reported similar savings patterns, women reported higher regular use of promotions and a stronger influence of online shopping in their purchase decisions.

AI shopping is a deal-seeker’s dream. Minty’s analysis further explored the nine ways shoppers are using AI to shop and the best way for brands to address them to maintain and grow market share. Those findings will be included in Minty's Back-To-School study to be released in June.

“The traditional marketing playbook needs a rewrite,” added Mason. “Consumers have clearly shifted to a digital-first approach to saving and shopping. Brands have to follow suit by introducing themselves to proactive commerce, where they join the conversation with the majority of shoppers who have entrenched digital deal-finding through sophisticated AI shopping skills.”

Minty will present its research findings in an upcoming webinar on May 19, 2026 at 2 p.m. ET.

About Minty

Minty is the fastest growing AI shopping companion that proactively unleashes savings that matter most for smart shoppers, creating more loyalty for the e-com brands they shop.

As the pioneer of Proactive Commerce, Minty has 100’s of millions of shoppers and is ranked by G2 as a top 5 e-commerce tool that generates incremental revenue for e-commerce brands from high intent shoppers without disrupting existing marketing channels.

Minty app for ChatGPT

Minty for Shoppers: https://www.minty.com/

Minty For Brands: https://business.minty.com/