Visa Gift Giving Survey Results

According to the 2011 Visa Gift Giving Survey, consumers prefer receiving a network-branded gift card – like a Visa Gift card:

78% of survey respondents said they would rather receive a network-branded card - like a Visa Gift card - over a gift card for a specific store/restaurant

59% of respondents said they would rather receive a network-branded card- like a Visa Gift card - over a present chosen by a gift-giver (i.e. clothing, an item for the home such as a picture frame or candles, etc)

Give Them What They Really Want.

53% of respondents who have received a network branded gift card – like a Visa Gift card – said they feel appreciative and happy for the opportunity to buy something they really want or need

When survey respondents were asked how they would use a Visa Gift card, the top three responses were:

61% To indulge in something they might not normally be able to buy or afford, such as a special dinner, jewelry, clothing or personal electronics

58% To buy "life essentials," such as groceries or household products, or to pay bills

51% To get what they didn't receive from their holiday wishlist

The survey results reveal key holiday shopping insight, which consumers should consider before spending countless hours and their hard earned money, on off-the-mark purchase:

45% of consumers still have at least one unopened holiday gift from last year in the back of their closet

26% admitted to returning at least one gift from last year

22% admitted to re-gifting at least one of their holiday gifts from last year

15% estimated the value of holiday gifts that were returned, re-gifted or remain unused last year to be more than $50

Helping with Holiday Budgeting.

Smart spending is a top priority for consumers this holiday season.

58% of respondents will set a holiday budget before they begin shopping

7% When asked how their holiday budget will compare to last year, only seven percent will have more to spend this year

34% When asked how their holiday budget will compare to last year, 34 percent said their budget will stay the same as last year

31% When asked how their holiday budget will compare to last year, 31 percent will have less to spend

51% of respondents believe that giving a Visa Gift card would help them stay within their holiday budget

What Kind of Holiday Shopper are You?

The Visa Gift Giving Survey also revealed four distinct holiday shopping personalities:

37% The Good Elf – I plan, I organize, I budget

20% Coupon Claus – Saving money is most important to me. I am in the parking lots by 5 a.m., I do most of my holiday shopping during sales, and I scour deal providers for discounts on gift items

20% Cruisin’ Caroler – Gift giving is just one part of the holiday to conquer so the rest of the season can be enjoyed

19% Midnight Dasher – I end up waiting until the last minute

For more information about Visa Gift cards, please visit www.visa.com/gift.

About the Visa Gift Giving Survey
The 2011 Visa Gift Giving Survey was a telephone survey conducted among a national probability sample of 1,005 adults 18 years of age and older, living in private households in the continental United States.