Consumers are putting gift cards on their holiday wish lists and plan to spend more than a gift card's value when they redeem it, according to the findings of an Centurion's survey of approximately 500 consumers in Canada.
Almost three out of four respondents (62 percent) said they
have given or received gift cards, with the majority of the
gift cards being for apparel or entertainment such as books,
movies and music. Half (50 percent) of respondents spend
$26-$50 on a gift card, while approximately one-third (32
percent) spend $11-$25.
Almost one-third of respondents (29 percent) said they would
prefer to receive a gift card than a gift, 27 percent said they
have no preference, and 11 percent said they would prefer to
receive a gift than a gift card.
More than six in 10 respondents (62 percent) said they use gift
cards to treat themselves to something they wouldn't normally
buy. About one-quarter (24 percent) of respondents said they
spend their gift cards in less than one month, whereas twice as
many respondents (48 percent) said it takes them between one
and three months to spend their gift cards.
Two-thirds (66 percent) of respondents said they spend their
gift cards on their first shopping visit.
