Newswise — As stores across the nation gear up for the holiday shopping season, consumers are making their shopping lists, searching for Black Friday deals and identifying the stores that offer low prices and a positive shopping experience.

Experts from Florida State University are available to comment on these topics:Elizabeth Goldsmith, Professor, College of Human Sciences: (850) 644-6893; [email protected]Goldsmith’s main area of research is on consumer behavior with a focus on how consumers shop, identifying innovators, brand involvement and engagement, fashion innovativeness, brand personality, consumer self-confidence, and the related topics of personal financial and investing behaviors and consumer education.

“It has been a rough year, presidential politics and all. Shoppers are looking for fun this season — beautiful decorations, refreshments and a cheery atmosphere — and the winning stores possess all three. Also, surveys indicate that 46 percent of holiday shopping will be done online this year.”

Ronald Goldsmith, Professor of Marketing, College of Business: (850) 644-4401; [email protected] Goldsmith teaches consumer behavior and marketing research. The majority of his research has a strong focus on the role of personality in consumer behavior and measurement issues, especially in the areas of diffusion of innovations, consumer involvement and services marketing. Goldsmith is particularly interested in the behavior of “super consumers,” who are described as very materialistic and status conscious. Super consumers buy a lot and pay close attention to the brands they buy. Goldsmith has published more than 170 scholarly journal articles and co-authored the book “Consumer Psychology for Marketing” with Gordon Foxall.

Maura L. Scott, Associate Professor of Marketing, College of Business: (850) 644-6554; [email protected]Scott’s research interests include overconsumption behavior, goal setting, self-regulation and transformative consumer research. She has been published in a number of marketing journals including the Journal of Consumer Research and the Journal of Marketing Research. Scott also has industry experience in marketing management at 3M Company, Dial Corporation and Motorola.

“The frenzy of the holiday season can trigger consumers to engage in overconsumption in their eating, shopping and spending. My research examines the environmental, social and psychological factors that influence overconsumption, as well as strategies to help consumers reduce unintended overconsumption."