Offering an exceptional opportunity for marketers to define the lifestyle characteristics of key female target groups and better focus their marketing efforts to win new custom, this report provides in-depth analysis of:

1. The way women's lives have changed over the last decade

2. Female input into the purchase decision-making process

3. Female attitudes towards shopping in general and their attitudes towards, and usage of, Internet shopping in particular.

Offering an exceptional opportunity for marketers to define the lifestyle characteristics of key female target groups and better focus their marketing efforts to win new custom, this report provides in-depth analysis of:

1. The way women's lives have changed over the last decade

2. Female input into the purchase decision-making process

3. Female attitudes towards shopping in general and their attitudes towards, and usage of, Internet shopping in particular.

To explore these trends fully and provide a unique snapshot of the 21st century female consumer, Mintel commissioned exclusive research among a sample of 4,040 adults aged 15+, including 2,097 women. Revealing findings include a priceless insight into the decision-making process when making major purchases, including cars, holidays, mortgages, home improvements and brown and white goods. As well as looking at the attitudes and habits of women in different demographic sub-groups and lifestages, the analysis of this research takes into account household earning patterns, using the following categories:

Single households:

1. Single earner: working full-time, no partner
2. Low/no earner single: under 65, not working full-time, no partner
3. Retired single households: over 65, not working full-time, no partner.
4. Two earner: both partners working full-time
5. New traditional: male working full-time, female working part-time
6. Traditional: male working full-time, female not working
7. Non-traditional: female partner working full-time, male working part-time or not working
8. Low/no earner (couple): under 65, no full-time earner in household
9. Retired couples: over 65, no full-time earner in household.

Vital to any business seeking to benchmark their offering with a female customer base, this report provides a fresh insight into:

A rise in the number of working women, later marriages, later motherhood and the implications for marketers

Growing female satisfaction with living standards and working lives

The extent to which household chores are still women's work

The relationship between enjoyment of cooking and lifestage

Older women and the importance of cultural activities

Full-time working mums at rock concerts

Women and sport and exercise

The 'Cherie Blair' effect

Working women and their say in the purchase of a car

Holidays: men listen to women more than women listen to men

Home-related purchases

The impulsiveness of women

AB women and the Internet