Just passing it along...

Harris Interactive Tracks "Panic" Levels of Consumers as Y2K Approaches 09:01 a.m. Nov 18, 1999 Eastern NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 18, 1999--

24% of Consumers Expected to "Stock-Up" Water, Canned Fruits and

Vegetables Top List of Items Consumers Will Buy

Nearly one-quarter of all U.S. consumers are planning to stock-up their pantries in anticipation of Y2K problems, according to a study conducted by Harris Interactive, a leading market research and polling firm. Conducted among shoppers responsible for at least half of their household shopping, Harris Interactive's QuickQuery(SM) found that 24 percent of respondents expect to "stock-up" on something prior to Y2K.

Water and canned fruits and vegetables top the list of products that supermarkets can expect to see move off of shelves at higher than normal rates. Of those shoppers who intend to pantry-load, nine in ten expect to buy bottled water and four in five will buy canned fruits and vegetables.

"Regardless of whether Y2K proves to arrive with a bang or a bust, a number of consumers are hedging their bets," said Peter Gold, Director of Consumer Services for Harris Interactive. "Given the ever increasing levels of media attention that Y2K has received over the past few years, it's not surprising to find a significant number of consumers feel the need to be safe rather than sorry."

QuickQuery(SM) also found that female shoppers were 50 percent more likely than male shoppers to pantry-load before the end of the year. Male shoppers aged 25 to 34 were two to three times more likely than male shoppers were in other age ranges to stock-up, while female shoppers 25 to 44 were much more likely to stock-up prior to the millennium than females in other age segments.

The survey is being conducted to help manufacturers and grocery retailers determine which products will be most in demand. Over the next few weeks, QuickQuery(SM) will serve as a tracking mechanism for drug and grocery retailers, category managers, and manufacturers' sales forces and brokers, who will be provided with useful data about consumers' purchasing expectations. With plans to field the same survey two more times before the New Year, Harris Interactive plans to track consumers' "panic" level as Y2K approaches. In addition, Harris Interactive is conducting a study on how consumer attitudes on issues, such as pricing and product selection, affect shopper loyalty in over 200 US food, drug and mass retailers.

Percent of primary shoppers expecting to stock-up prior to Y2K, by age within gender

Males Females Total 18% 27% 18-24 14% 21% 25-34 37% 39% 35-44 19% 33% 45-54 14% 21% 55+ 7% 21%

Percent of primary shoppers expecting to stock-up prior to Y2K, by education

Expect to Stock Up High School Grad or less 19% Some College 25% College Grad 29%

Percent of primary shoppers expecting to stock-up prior to Y2K across selected product categories

Product Expect to Stock Up Any product(a) 24% Water 21% Canned Fruit/Vegetables 20% Soups 16% Cereal 13% Coffee/Tea 12% Juices 12% Pasta 12% Pet Food 12% Bread 9% Soft Drinks 9% Frozen Foods 8% Dairy Products 8%

General merchandise, such as batteries, was not included in this survey.

Methodology

This Harris QuickQuery(SM) was conducted by Harris Interactive via the Internet within the United States from November 2-4, 1999. The poll was conducted among 1903 respondents who are responsible for at least half of their household's grocery purchasing. Figures for age, sex, race, education and number of adults in the household were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. QuickQuery is an omnibus service that provides a minimum of 2000 respondents in two days. The questions above were asked only among the primary shopper in each household.

In theory, with a sample of this size and after weighting the data, one can say with 95 percent certainty that the results have a statistical precision of plus or minus 2 percentage points of what they would be if the entire adult population of the United States had been polled with complete accuracy. Unfortunately, there are several other possible sources of error in all polls or surveys that are probably more serious than theoretical calculations of sampling error. They include question wording and question order, non-response, and screening. It is difficult or impossible to quantify the errors that may result from these factors.

These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive (www.harrisinteractive.com) is a leading market research and polling firm, using Internet-based and traditional methodologies to provide its clients with information about the views, experiences and attitudes of people worldwide. Known for its Harris Poll, Harris Interactive has over 40 years experience in providing its clients with market research and polling services, including custom research, multi-client research, service bureau research and customer relationship services. Harris Interactive conducts its Internet research using its Internet database of approximately 4.2 million online panelists and its proprietary technology.

-- Roland (nottelling@nowhere.com), November 19, 1999

Answers

WHEN?!?!? December 31?!?! FOOLS!!!

-- Crono (Crono@timesend.com), November 19, 1999.

Of course this poll was taken before:

"Y2K the movie" & "The end of Days"

LOL! will jump to 75% next week

-- db (dciinc@aol.com), November 19, 1999.