Holiday Online Shoppers Expected
Gift cards deemed the way to go by many holiday shoppers.
Gift cards deemed the way to go by many holiday shoppers.
Online shopping is expected to increase by 25 percent this year over the last holiday season according to a survey conducted by online loyalty marketer MyPoints.com. Gift cards are the present of choice outside immediate family.
Shoppers plan to do 54 percent or more of their holiday shopping online this season. Top shopping categories include apparel (88 percent); holiday and seasonal items (82 percent); and videos and DVDs (79 percent).
Both male and female gift givers find Internet shopping offers several benefits. Twenty-nine percent of women and 34 percent of men say they find the best prices online. Twenty-three percent of women and 24 percent of men find Internet shopping efficient.
Of those surveyed, 48 percent plan to give gifts to between five and 20 people outside their close friends and family networks. Ninety-three percent plan to give gift cards for more casual gift-giving occasions.
“You don’t have to know the people as well,” David Rosen, MyPoints.com SVP marketing, told ClickZ Stats. “The perception of satisfaction is much higher.”
Earlier surveys of the group showed intent to purchase gift cards as early as May and June, said Rosen.
Another break-out area for online holiday spending is travel. Forty-two percent of those surveyed will travel this holiday season, and 90 percent plan to book their travel online. This includes air travel, hotels and car rental.
The online survey was completed by over 1,000 MyPoints.com members. Members are requested to take surveys after completing online transactions throughout the year. Respondents are granted points towards gift cards and other retailer rewards.
Holiday Shopping Trends, 2005 | ||
---|---|---|
Top Holiday Shopping Categories | ||
Rank | Shopping Category | Percentage |
1 | Apparel | 88 |
2 | Holiday/seasonal items | 82 |
3 | Videos and DVDs | 79 |
4 | Health and beauty | 77 |
5 | Gift cards | 75 |
6 | Books and magazine | 74 |
7 | Toys and games | 73 |
8 | Gourmet food and beverage | 72 |
9 | Music | 71 |
10 | Home electronics | 57 |
Top Online Holiday Shopping Categories | ||
Rank | Shopping Category | Percentage |
1 | Books and magazine subscriptions | 82 |
2 | Music | 82 |
3 | Videos and DVDs | 81 |
4 | Toys and games | 76 |
5 | Apparel | 68 |
6 | Holiday/seasonal items | 66 |
7 | Home electronics | 63 |
8 | Health and beauty | 55 |
9 | Gift cards | 50 |
10 | Gourmet food and beverage | 50 |
Source: MyPoints.com, 2005 |