Small Business
Nearly Half Of Americans Return Christmas Gifts
The survey also found that adults with higher annual household incomes (more than $100,000) were more likely to return their holiday gifts than those earning less than $75,000 (52 percent vs. 42 percent, respectively).
Dec. 15, 2015
Americans are expected to spend more on gifts this Christmas and holiday season than ever, as much as $900 per person, according to a new retail study. However, many of these gifts will likely make their way back to retailers, according to World Vision‘s annual Holiday Giving Survey. The poll found that 46 percent of U.S. adults who receive gifts during the holidays will return at least one of those presents.
In its seventh year, World Vision’s Holiday Giving Survey aims to study the state of holiday giving and prompt the public to meet the substantive needs of others.
Generation Grinch?
While older adults are often characterized as the “tough to buy for” crowd, it’s actually Millennials who could be nicknamed “Generation Grinch” according to the survey. At 59 percent, Millennials (ages 18 – 34 years old) who receive gifts during the holidays are the most likely to return gifts while Gen Xers (35 – 44 years old) come in a close second at 56 percent.
The survey also found that adults with higher annual household incomes (more than $100,000) were more likely to return their holiday gifts than those earning less than $75,000 (52 percent vs. 42 percent, respectively).
So what should you buy for the Millennials in your life this holiday season?
Beat the odds and buy a gift that matters
Nielsen’s recent marketing data on Millennials found that they are willing to spend money on things that matter to them. Gifts that give back are a great approach for the Millennials in your life this year, and World Vision’s Gift Catalog features over 100 life-changing gifts that can be donated in a loved one’s name. Shoppers can also choose to send a personalized card describing the gift and its impact.
The survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of World Vision from October 22 – 26, 2015 among 2,052 adults ages 18 and older, of whom, 1,702 receive gifts during the holidays. These online surveys are not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, or to receive a copy of the full survey, please contact Christine Connolly Bell.