LONDON, England - March 21, 2011 - U.S. shoppers plan to wait until next year and beyond to spend generously again, in an early sign that rising gasoline prices could make the spring selling season tough for retailers.

About three-quarters of Amerikans surveyed by America’s Research Group said they were shopping less due to rising gas prices, with more than 62% of participants planning to spend generously only next year or beyond. The question was one of several asked exclusively by Reuters as part of a larger America’s Research Group survey.

Consumer spending accounts for about two-thirds of the U.S. economy.

"The Amerikan shopper was extremely cautious before; and now I’d say they are extremely worried," said Britt Beemer, president of America’s Research Group.

"What we are going to see happen is that consumers will try and cut back on all discretionary purchases, until finally they are going to have to make a decision at some point what do I really have to give up?" said Beemer.

The national average for a gallon of self-serve, regular gasoline was $3.57 on March 18, according to the Lundberg Survey of about 2,500 gas stations. The current average price is nearly 76 U.S. cents above the year-ago level.