| January's retail sales strength is reflected in people | | | | redeemed by the end of January. |
| redeeming their Christmas gift cards. The average | | | | People were more likely to buy full price retail |
| adult received 3.2 gift cards this holiday season, | | | | items with their gift cards. Many analysts believe |
| up from 2.5 gift cards last year. Gift cards are | | | | the "gift" aspect allows consumers to treat |
| more popular and this also moves spending into | | | | themselves to new full-priced merchandise. |
| January. Consumers are also interested in | | | | Retailers also benefit when consumers redeem a |
| receiving gift cards at other times that just at | | | | gift card, nearly 62% spend more than the face |
| Christmas. | | | | value of the card. This is an opportunity for |
| A survey by Deloitte & Touche USA found: | | | | retailers to increase sales, as sales cannot be |
| - 80% of adults received at least one gift card to | | | | reported until the gift card is redeemed. |
| an apparel or food store | | | | Consumers also expressed an interest in receiving |
| - 33% received at least one gift card to a | | | | gift cards for other holidays. For example, a gift |
| restaurant | | | | card for an "experience" is widely received as a |
| - 14% received one gift card to a mall or | | | | result of people being time-pressed. Getting a gift |
| shopping center | | | | card for a trip to a restaurant or massage or |
| - 10% received a gift card that could be used at | | | | even a weekend getaway seems to be a trend |
| a variety of stores (e.g., an American Express gift | | | | people are enjoying. |
| card) | | | | Teens enjoy gift cards because they are more |
| - 5% received at least one for a personal service | | | | eager to shop with their friends and are more apt |
| such as a manicure or massage | | | | to redeem their cards quicker than adults. The |
| - 5% received at least one gift card for an | | | | survey showed teens redeemed 76% of their |
| Internet site (e.g., ebay, Amazon) | | | | gift cards vs. 61% of adults. |
| Price ranges for gift cards ranged from $78 for | | | | Gift cards keep on giving, after the holidays, |
| an American Express card, while the lowest was | | | | especially for retailers. Gift cards are here to stay. |
| for a $32 restaurant card. Bank gift cards are | | | | Consumers enjoy using them and retailers enjoy |
| more likely to be used in January. Nearly 74% of | | | | getting them. Gift cards are an appropriate gift |
| these gift cards have been redeemed or partially | | | | for all occasions. |