Gift 2: Here We Go Again
-- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 11/1/2006
More than half of consumers admit having “re-gifted” presents they received to someone else in the past or plan to do so in the future, according to a survey by Harris Interactive commissioned by Tassimo Hot Beverage System.
Who:
- 93 percent of re-gifters have done it more than once; 40 percent at least four times
- 78 percent of shoppers feel that re-gifting some or most of the time is acceptable; women, 86 percent.
- 57 percent of those who believe they've received a re-gift say it was from a relative; 48 percent have received a re-gift from a friend.
Why:
- 77 percent of re-gifters say the item was perfect for the new recipient
- 69 percent felt comfortable re-gifting something they didn't want
- 30 percent re-gifted because they didn't have money for a new gift
- 19 percent forgot to get a gift
- 15 percent ran out of time
- 9 percent say they were too lazy
When:
- 72 percent re-gifted during year-end holidays
- 63 percent for birthdays
Growing acceptance of re-gifting may also reflect trends toward de-cluttering and environmental consciousness, which make consumers less likely to hang onto unwanted gifts or throw them away.
For retailers, re-gifting means fewer sales, so promoting wish lists, hints and gift cards can help recipients get gifts they want to keep.
Stores can also use re-gifting as a promotional tool. Tassimo, for example, is holding an event where consumers trade in a re-gift for a free Tassimo. Retailers can offer to re-wrap gifts to convince shoppers to come in — especially since 16 percent of those who know they got a re-gift found out because it had a tag with the wrong name on it.
