"These apparel results suggest that many consumers are willing to buy
full-priced merchandise with their cards," said Tara Weiner. The unused cards, once
redeemed, therefore have the potential to add another $13 billion or more to
retail sales, based on the buying trends discerned from this survey.S.

, A new site was just launched at
http://www.

Contact:
Farida Walele , Director
973-601-3920
http://www.

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NEW YORK, It was a very good holiday season for
gift cards. Additionally,
that $13 billion encompasses only the gift cards from the 2004 holiday season. Nearly three-quarters (74 percent)
of these cards have already been fully or partially redeemed . On average, 57 percent of adults' total apparel purchase using the
card was for full-price merchandise . They include all prepaid retail cards, except phone cards.
In the U.

HOPATCONG, N. The site offers selections from over 20,000 products
at reduced prices, with gifts for the home , toys, electronics and much more.worldgifthaven.

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Of the cards that were fully or partially redeemed ,
59 percent were redeemed in January, while 35 percent of the cards were
redeemed during the last week of December.
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu is an organization of member firms around the world
devoted to excellence in providing professional services and advice, focused
on client service through a global strategy executed locally in nearly 150
countries.S.

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"The 'gift'
aspect of the card may mean that consumers are more willing to treat
themselves to new full-priced merchandise. 61 percent for adults.5 percentage points or less for
teens.

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This figure is up from last year's survey, which found
that 2. This year's 3.

THE KING AND QUEEN OF HEARTS: GIFT CARDS FOR VALENTINE'S DAY
An additional important finding is that consumers favor gift cards for
other holidays or celebrations beyond the traditional year end gift-giving
period.

About Deloitte
Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, a Swiss
Verein, its member firms, and their respective subsidiaries and affiliates.com ), a
service of eMediaWire.

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98.,
eBay , Amazon)

For adults, the highest dollar amount received was nearly $78 for a bank
card such as an American Express card, while the lowest was $32 for a
restaurant or fast food establishment .

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"While an estimated $18 billion has already been added to sales from
consumers' gift card redemptions , it's important to note that consumers are
likely still holding on to another $9 billion of unredeemed value on their
cards," said Tara Weiner, Vice Chairman and National Managing Partner of the
Consumer Business Industries practice at Deloitte + Touche USA LLP.
For those consumers who had already redeemed their cards, a majority (62
percent) spent more than the face value of the card. Services are not provided by the Deloitte Touche
Tohmatsu Verein, and, for regulatory and other reasons, certain member firms
do not provide services in all four professional areas.com. All
purchases are backed by a money back guarantee on returns, so purchase is risk
free.

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According to the second annual Post -Holiday Gift Card Survey
commissioned by Deloitte + Touche USA LLP, the number of gift cards received
per adult increased more than 20 percent over last year, the redemptions of
those cards have likely boosted retail sales by an estimated $18 billion, and
consumers are interested in receiving cards for more occasions than just the
year end holidays.
As a Swiss Verein (association), neither Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu nor any
of its member firms has any liability for each other's acts or omissions .

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2 cards had a
total face value of $142.

Other findings from the survey include:
* 80 percent of adults received at least one gift card to a store such as
an apparel or food store
* 33 percent received at least one to a restaurant/fast food establishment
* 14 percent received at least one gift card to a mall or shopping center
* 10 percent received at least one card that could be used at a variety of
stores/establishments (e.J.
For more information, contact Farida Walele or visit
http://www.

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g.g. "As mentioned in our
November Pre -Holiday Survey, retailers will be well served by launching gift
card redemption campaigns, as they are unable to report the sale until the
card is redeemed," said Weiner.

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9 cards that consumers told us they are still holding from prior
holidays are added in, the benefit to retailers would be even higher. Retailers, as a result, are
rewarded with higher profit margins from the sale of full-price merchandise. Others may need a
reminder or incentive to use them. Each
of the member firms is a separate and independent legal entity operating under
the names "Deloitte," "Deloitte + Touche ," "Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu," or
other related names.deloitte.
All of the information provided is kept confidential and all orders are
processed on a secure server through Paypal.

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The survey found that adults received 3.com . All products are in stock unless noted.

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, an American Express gift card)
* 5 percent received at least one for a personal service, such as a
manicure
* 5 percent received at least one gift card for an internet site - (e. Unused
cards represent a significant opportunity for retailers.
"So what's the deal on cards this holiday season? A gift card is the gift
that keeps giving, especially for retailers," says Weiner. The
subsidiaries of the U. member firm are among the nation's leading
professional services firms, providing audit , tax, consulting, and financial
advisory services through nearly 30,000 people in more than 80 cities .

New Online Gift Shop Just Launched at WorldGiftHaven.com

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Deloitte + Touche's analysis of its consumer surveys over the last two
years has identified a discernable shift in preferences for "experience gifts"
as a result of consumers being time-pressed. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus
1. member firm's website at
http://www. Safety and security is important
to the company as it is to the consumer.

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5 gift cards were received as presents. Known
as employers of choice for innovative human resources programs, they are
dedicated to helping their clients and their people excel. The site offers over 20,000 affordably priced gifts to choose from, with a
special holiday sale with price reduction. Find
cameras, DVD players, TVs, children's toys, games, lingerie, sports items, and
much more at reduced prices, not just for the holidays but all year round.

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The survey results indicate that 37
percent of the gift cards received during the holidays remain unused.worldgifthaven.

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If consumers continue to spend those unredeemed cards in a similar fashion
as they did in December and that is, some consumers purchase more
than the face value of their cards -- then these unredeemed gift cards have
the potential to add as much as $13 billion to retail sales. More than three out of five males (61
percent) and 71 percent of females were interested in a Valentine's Day gift
card.
"Thus, Valentine's Day represents the chance to give the gift of time by
adding a gift card for a trip to a restaurant, spa or weekend getaway, in
addition to that box of chocolates. Further, by the end of the survey period, 76 percent of
teens ' cards were partially or fully redeemed vs.S. For more
information, please visit the U.worldgifthaven .

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More importantly, 61 percent of all gift cards received by adults in this
latest survey had been fully or partially redeemed by the end of January.

JANUARY'S ACE: GIFT CARD REDEMPTIONS
Strong gift card redemptions in January likely gave an important lift to
retail sales that month. Teens have been more eager to
shop with their cards than have adults.
A whopping 82 percent of teens would like to receive a gift card for
Valentine's Day. "The cards are not
only extending the important holiday season into January, they're becoming
popular as a year-round gift choice.

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Bank cards were the type most likely
to have been used by the end of January. Among adults who purchased apparel with their
cards, 70 percent bought at least some full-priced merchandise with their
cards."

A TRUMP CARD FOR TEENS
Gift cards are also becoming a big hit with teens, as they reported
receiving 2.

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And as a further boost to retailers, many consumers are buying full-price
merchandise with their cards.8 cards during the holiday period. In short, gift cards are here to stay.com/us.
For the month of December, the company has added 20,000 electronics items
alone, in addition to the additional 10,000 gift items to choose from.

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"

GETTING CONSUMERS TO SHOW THEIR CARDS
Some consumers are holding on to their cards, having simply forgotten
about them, given that the holiday period has passed."

Methodology: Results are based on an Internet survey of 3,934 adults and
335 teens on gift cards respondents. The survey was conducted between January
28 and February 3, 2005.3 percentage points or less for adults and 4.

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On average , for those consumers
who only partially redeemed their cards, they spent 60 percent of the value
during this five-week period. Nearly two-thirds, 66 percent, of adults said they would like to
receive a gift card for Valentine's Day. "People continue to focus more
on 'the art of living,' rather than 'the art of consuming,'" says Weiner.

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Stacking the Deck: Deloitte + Touche Finds Gift Cards Likely Represented Nearly $18 Billion in Sales During December and January

2 gift cards during the holiday
season just ended.
If the 1. With access to the deep intellectual capital of 120,000 people
worldwide , Deloitte delivers services in four professional areas -- audit,
tax, consulting, and financial advisory services - and serves more than one-
half of the world's largest companies, as well as large national enterprises,
public institutions, locally important clients, and successful, fast-growing
global growth companies., Deloitte + Touche USA LLP is the member firm of Deloitte
Touche Tohmatsu, and services are provided by the subsidiaries of Deloitte +
Touche USA LLP (Deloitte + Touche LLP, Deloitte Consulting LLP, Deloitte Tax
LLP, and their subsidiaries) and not by Deloitte + Touche USA LLP.
The website offers a range of wonderful gifts for various occasions such
as holidays, weddings , birthdays, wedding anniversary, graduations, kids and
other special occasions.prwebdirect.

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More than half, 54 percent, of their
cards were redeemed during the last week of December, compared to only 35
percent for adults.
Note: As used in this survey, the term gift card is synonymous with gift
certificate.com

This press release distributed by PRWEB ( http://www.