Survey Data Reveals Hobby-Related and Practical Items Top the Gift Lists for Dads and Grads This Year

LOS ANGELES, June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- PriceGrabber.com®, a part of Experian, conducted surveys on gift purchasing for both Father's Day (April 12–May 9, 2010; 2,564 respondents) and graduation (March 26–April 12, 2010; 2,111 respondents) to examine spending trends. Survey data suggests that the recession will continue to impact the spending habits for both, leading consumers to spend conservatively on dads and purchase practical gifts for graduates.

"While the recession will influence consumer shopping behavior for both Father's Day and graduation, it will also continue to have a significant impact in the future," stated Barbary Brunner, chief marketing officer at PriceGrabber.com. "We're seeing the emergence of a new consumer trend we call 'price bragging.' In this day and age, people are excited about getting a deal that makes the most out of their budget, and when they do, they often share that information with others in their communities."

PriceGrabber.com's Father's Day 2010 spending trends

• Father's Day spending:

Of the 64 percent of online consumers celebrating Father's day this year…

• 36 percent of respondents will spend less than $25 on a Father's Day gift
• 27 percent of respondents will spend between $25 and $49 on a Father's Day gift
• 15 percent of respondents will spend between $50 and $74 on a Father's Day gift
• 22 percent of respondents plan to spend $75 or more on a Father's Day gift

• Top three Father's Day gifts:

Of the 64 percent of online consumers celebrating Father's day this year…

• 43 percent of respondents will purchase hobby-related gifts for golf, running and baseball
• 30 percent of respondents will purchase entertainment gifts such as music, video games and movies
• 26 percent of respondents will purchase outdoor entertainment gifts (i.e., barbecue tools and accessories and outdoor furniture)

• Who will receive Father's Day gifts:

Of the 64 percent of online consumers celebrating Father's day this year…

• 54 percent of respondents will purchase a gift for their father
• 29 percent of respondents will purchase a gift for their husband 
• 13 percent of respondents will purchase a gift for their father-in-law
• 4 percent of respondents will purchase a gift for their brother
• 4 percent of respondents will purchase a gift for a friend

PriceGrabber.com's graduation gift 2010 spending trends

Of the 25 percent of online consumers that plan to spend money on a graduate in their lives…

• 73 percent of respondents plan to give practical gifts to help graduates in the next phase of their lives (i.e., laptops, professional clothing, interview books and school supplies)
• 15 percent of respondents will give "indulgent gifts" for graduates to enjoy

• How consumers are saving:

Of the 22 percent of consumers that plan to spend money on a practical or indulgent gift for graduation…

• 79 percent of respondents will compare prices as a strategy to save money when graduation shopping
• 35 percent of respondents will use coupons as a strategy to save money when graduation shopping
• 32 percent of respondents will only buy gifts that are on sale as a strategy to save money when graduation shopping

• Online versus offline purchases:

Of the 22 percent of consumers that plan to spend money on a practical or indulgent gift for graduation…

• 41 percent of respondents will do less than half of their graduation shopping online
• 34 percent of respondents will do more than half of their graduation shopping online
• 25 percent of respondents will do half of their graduation shopping online

"We are pleased to be able to provide consumers with a great place to start and finish their online shopping as a strategy to save money when purchasing Father's Day and graduation gifts," stated Laura Conrad, president of PriceGrabber.com. "At PriceGrabber, we are committed to helping people find the best products at the best price anytime, anywhere."

To request a full report of the survey data or have any questions please contact PriceGrabber.com.

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About PriceGrabber.com
PriceGrabber.com, a part of Experian, is a leading online shopping site with more than 23 million unique shoppers monthly. At PriceGrabber.com, savvy shoppers can instantly find and compare millions of unique products and services across 25 categories with more than 11,000 merchants. Compare products side by side to find the right retailers at the best prices within popular categories, such as Digital Cameras, Electronics, Computers, Clothing, Books, TVs and more.

PriceGrabber.com provides shoppers with the right product from the right merchant at the best price anytime, anywhere. Visit us at http://www.pricegrabber.com.  

About Experian

Experian® is the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to clients in more than 90 countries. The company helps businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. Experian also helps individuals to check their credit report and credit score and protect against identity theft.

Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Total revenue for the year ended March 31, 2010, was $3.9 billion. Experian employs approximately 15,000 people in 40 countries and has its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; Costa Mesa, California; and Sao Paulo, Brazil.

For more information, visit http://www.experianplc.com.

Experian and the marks used herein are service marks or registered trademarks of Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE PriceGrabber.com