More than four in 10 US consumers (44 percent) plan to shop on the day after Thanksgiving — "Black Friday" — and more than half say they rely on advertising and word-of-mouth for information on products, according to the findings of an Accenture survey, reports MarketingCharts.

Among the key findings of the Accenture Holiday Retail Survey 2007:

• Nearly two-thirds (62 percent) cite advertising as their primary source to learn about holiday products. More than half (55 percent) cite word of mouth. Fewer consumers consult retailer and manufacturer websites (39 percent and 23 percent, respectively).

• Nearly six in 10 respondents (57 percent) said they will set a budget for holiday gift buying before heading to the stores, but about half (51 percent) of respondents said they are likely to overspend their budget.

• More than two-thirds (70 percent) of respondents are concerned about the safety of products made in China:
  • Almost half (48 percent) said they have chosen not to buy items manufactured in China, and 9 percent said they have returned an item made in China.
  • More than a third of respondents (37 percent) said they are unconcerned about where the goods they buy are made.
• When asked what bothers them most about holiday shopping in stores, the greatest number of respondents - 77 percent - cited crowded malls, followed by long lines (65 percent).

• About half of respondents (49 percent) said that gas prices will not affect their holiday spending, but nearly the same amount (45 percent) said they will make fewer shopping trips this year due to gas prices.

Findings regarding 'green' shopping:

• Almost half of respondents (47 percent) said concern for the environment is an important influence on their shopping behavior, and nearly six in 10 (57 percent) said they are willing to spend more on "green" products.

• More consumers seek environmentally friendly products than look for environmentally friendly retailers (60 percent versus 46 percent).
• Some shoppers, however, are influenced by retailers' environmental practices, with 35 percent of respondents saying they are influenced by retailers' recycling programs.

MarketingCharts provides additional findings, including on shoppers' attitute toward 'hot' products and gift cards.

About the study: The web-based survey of 532 US consumers age 18 and older was fielded in November 2007.