COLUMBUS, OH -- 11/27/07 --
As Santa makes his list this Holiday season,
he may want to consider paper or plastic as an option as 52.1% say they
would rather receive a gift card or cash, according to the American
Pulse(TM) Survey of 4,069 respondents. One reason for this preference may
be that consumers do not like gifts that were chosen for them (45.4% of
those who received clothing as a gift in the past didn't like or didn't
wear it). Another possible reason is that 46.3% of those who participate in
gift giving/receiving during the holidays say they hate to return gifts
because it is a hassle.
As Americans get in the holiday spirit this year, whether it's a gift card
or a gift, 69.4% say they would rather give than receive. 70.9% like it
when employees wish them a "Merry Christmas" while shopping because it is
the Christmas season and 92.6% feel malls, stores and parks should be
allowed to display the Christian Nativity Scene during the Christmas
season.
Regarding consumer mood, 56% say they will be looking for sales more as
they Holiday shop and 59.1% will be spending less this year than in
Holidays past possibly because 47.7% feel that compared to one year ago it
is becoming harder to pay monthly bills and are living paycheck to
paycheck.
Other key findings regarding the Holiday season (of those who participate
in gift giving/receiving during the Holidays):
-- 82.4% say gift cards are a smart gift alternative for people they
don't know well
-- 10.5% have "re-gifted" gift cards received
-- 22.5% have "re-gifted" gifts received
-- 22.7% like to exchange gifts for things they would rather have
-- 13.5% have received gift cards that they have never redeemed
-- 16.1% have received gift cards that they have only partially redeemed
To view complete report: http://americanpulse.bigresearch.com.
American Pulse(TM) Survey is collected online by BIGresearch every month
exclusively utilizing Survey Sampling International's (SSI) U.S. panel
covering topics such as politics, religion, pop culture and the economy.
About BIGresearch
BIGresearch is a consumer intelligence firm providing insights of consumer
behavior in areas of products and services, retail, financial services,
automotive, and media. In addition to the American Pulse Survey,
BIGresearch conducts the Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey (CIA) and
the Simultaneous Media Survey (SIMM). More information is available at
http://www.bigresearch.com.
About Survey Sampling International (SSI)
Survey Sampling International is a premier global provider of sampling
solutions. Founded in 1977, SSI offers access to consumer and
business-to-business respondents via Internet, telephone, and other means;
survey programming and hosting services; and survey consultation. SSI is
the supplier of choice for more than 1,800 marketing research agencies and
information service providers, including 46 of the top 50 worldwide. SSI is
headquartered in Fairfield, CT, and maintains offices throughout North
America, Europe, and Asia. http://www.surveysampling.com
Contacts:
BIGresearch
Chrissy Wissinger
Email Contact
614.846.146
SSI
Harold Kelley
Email Contact
+1.203.255.4200
