(ARA) – The excitement of the holiday season is upon us. Festive music has begun playing on the radio, and holiday merchandise fills store shelves, but with the joy of the season also comes the stress. After all, there is a lot to do.
Realizing the time constraints their potential customers are facing, retailers have taken steps to make shopping easier than ever by opening virtual stores and the move has paid huge dividends. According to Goldman Sachs, online shoppers spent a total of $30.1 billion during the 2005 holiday season – up 30 percent from 2004. They’re expected to spend even more this year.
So what are virtual shoppers buying? Pretty much everything you can find in a brick-and-mortar store, but unfortunately they’re still not getting it right every time. And it doesn’t help that gifts bought online are often harder to exchange than those purchased in a traditional store.
So what’s the solution? More and more shoppers are taking a cue from the corporate world and giving gift certificates for the holidays. “Many times, when cash is given as a gift, it unfortunately ends up being used to pay bills rather than towards a special memory. However, gift certificates allow the recipient to get something for themselves they may not have purchased otherwise, making them wonderful holiday gifts” says Adri Geppert, vice president of marketing for GiftCertificates.com, a leading provider of gift certificates to hundreds of national merchants including many popular stores, airlines, hotels, theaters, restaurants, and more.
The company’s website, http://www.GiftCertificates.com, allows you to shop by your favorite merchant, category or occasion. If you’re not sure what kind of gift the recipient would like, give a SuperCertificate gift. Your recipient can redeem for gift certificates to over 200 stores and services on the GiftCertificates.com website. This way they’re guaranteed to receive something they’ll love. Among the many choices, Callaway Golf, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Macy’s, Eddie Bauer, and Northern Tool + Equipment.
Gift certificates are available in denominations starting at $10. You can personalize your gift and even choose the delivery option, mail or email, to arrive just in time for the holidays.
Courtesy of ARA Content