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2006 Gift Outlook Strong

By Staff -- Gifts and Dec, 5/12/2006 12:40:00 PM

Stevens, PA — Early indications point to strong gift buying in 2006, according to market research firm Unity Marketing. The company’s latest survey of consumer gift purchases revealed that despite rising gas prices, gift shoppers spent an average of $407 during the first quarter of 2006, including $168 for gifting holidays and $239 on occasions such as like birthdays and anniversaries. Gift wrappings and cards accounted for an addititional $19 in add-on sales. If gift purchasing continues at its current rate, average individual sales average for 2006 could increase by as much as 10 percent over 2005’s average of $1,934.

First quarter sales figures showed that more people bought Valentine’s Day gifts (67 percent in 2006 vs. 57 percent in 2005) and spent more buying those gifts ($121 vs. $73 in 2005) than last year. And according to Unity Marketing’s Gift Tracker survey, Mother’s Day gifting and Father’s Day gifting are expected to be equally strong. Results indicate that about 10 percent more shoppers are planning to buy gifts for mom and dad than in 2005.

“The gifting market is especially important to the nation’s retailers, and not just during the fourth quarter,” said Pam Danziger, president of Unity Marketing. “Approximately 40 percent of gift shoppers’ annual budgets are spent buying gifts for occasions that occur throughout the year. In 2005, consumers spent an estimated $282 billion on gifts —roughly 10 percent of the total $2.8 trillion consumer retail market.”

The survey also reports that topping the list for first quarter gift purchases are: videos/dvds (bought by 30 percent of gifters); chocolates and flowers, plants, garden accessories (21 percent); books (20percent); toys, games, dolls; and bath and body soaps and lotions, and candles and candle accessories (18 percent). Nearly 17 percent of shoppers have already started their Christmas 2006 gift shopping, and have spent on average $346 on those purchases.

To learn more about the Gift Tracker survey, visit www.unitymarketingonline.com

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