The study looked at how different factors affect how much money households spend on shopping in different types of stores in the US. They used data from over 700 areas and found that things like the quality of service and competition from other stores can impact how much people spend. They also found that people often shop outside of their local area for things like cars, furniture, and electronics. The study suggests that stores can increase their sales by focusing on providing good service and understanding what makes people shop elsewhere.