Move over guys, let the lady through . . .

I am a guy. I shop like a guy. I buy new pants only when the ones I am wearing have holes or contain more coffee stains that an apron at Starbuck's. Women, well that's a different story. They shop, they browse, they compare . . .

In most families, women are more likely to do the grocery shopping, shop for the kids and even buy hubby's outfit. Now, if she could only get him to throw out that flannel shirt with the arms cut off.

If you are selling to consumers, it is important to remember that -

Women...

• Control $3.3 trillion in annual consumer spending.
• Make 62% of all car purchases.
• Take more than 50% of all business trips.
• Control more than 50% of America's personal wealth.
• Are more likely to shop over the internet than men.
• About 29% of women said they had bought clothes online - that was twice the number of men.
• Among the 1,000 participants surveyed - 91 per cent of women said they did most of the shopping, while 75 per cent of men agreed that their spouses or significant were the ones who shopped.

Sources: BUSINESSWEEK, BBC News, CanadaOne