Christmas gifts with a literary twist for 2011

• Books in top five gifts for all age groups
• 73 percent plan on giving gift vouchers
• 25 percent of shoppers buying ‘iThings’ for teens
• Alcohol & chocolates top two for Dad
• Perfume & jewellery top two for Mum
• Lego & bikes for young boys
• Toys, dolls & clothes for young girls

Peak retail industry body the Australian Retailers Association said gift giving this Christmas would take on a definite literary twist with ARA consumer survey showing books were among the top five most popular gift ideas for mums, dads, kids, partners and friends.

ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said it was good news for bookstores that books were near the top of the list for almost everyone but last year’s trend towards electronic gifts and gift vouchers would continue this Christmas.

“Books are unanimous across all categories which will hopefully be a great boost for bookstores and shows books always appeal to a wide range of interests as well as being a great holiday leisure activity.

“Credits also featured highly, with 73 percent planning to give gift vouchers or money.

“Electronic gifts were also popular ideas depending on the recipient. Teenagers, for example, were set to enjoy their new ‘iThings’ on Christmas day with 25 percent of respondents planning on buying iPods, iPhones, iPads and iTunes vouchers for adolescents.

“iPads and other electronics were high on the list for men this Christmas but dads tend to have the worst luck at this time of year with only two percent of respondents saying they would spend the most amount on their dads going for gifts like alcohol, chocolates, clothes and tools.

“Moving away from electronics, mums can expect more personal gifts with perfume (26%), jewellery(17%) and cosmetics (8%).

“Boys and girls will find presents such as lego and bikes (boys) and toys, dolls and clothes (girls) in their Santa stocking this year.

“For those splashing out and buying big ticket items over $2000, 41 percent said a holiday was on the cards,” Zimmerman said.

For over 100 years, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body in Australia’s $240 billion retail sector which employs over 1.2 million people. As an incorporated employer body under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 and with a range of member services including policy development, advocacy and education, the ARA promotes and protects over 5000 independent and national retailers throughout Australia. Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

-ends-
For interview opportunities with ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman
contact: Andie McMaster, Media & Communication Officer T: 0408 613 178 E: media@retail.org.au

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