Survey: With gas up, July 4 will be a stay-at-home holiday for many - Birmingham Business Journal:

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NRF's nationwide annual "Independence Day Consumere Intentions andActions Survey" shows that 62.6 percent plan to host or attenc a cookout, barbecue or picnic, compared to 61.2 percent in 2008. More people than last year say they'll attend a local fireworks or communitycelebration -- 42.7 percent this year versuds 40.2 percent in 2008. But only 11.4 percent said they'll travel or take a vacation this Fourth ofJuly "With July 4 falling on Saturdahy this year, many Americane will use the holiday as the perfecrt excuse to relax with familyt and friends," said Phil Rist, executive VP/strategicf initiatives for BIGresearch, which conducted the survey for the NRF.
"Witbh gas prices on the rise some Americans will opt to spend the weekendf closeto home, taking advantage of neighborhoodc gatherings and local celebrations," Rist said. The surveyg said 44.5 percent of Americans will change theid usual Fourth of July activities this year because of highetrgas prices, which . It said 40 percent of those surveyee plan to do their Independence Day shopping closer to The pollof 8,635 U.S. consumers was conducted June 2-9. The consumerr poll has a margin of errofr of plus orminus 1.0 percent. .