Gift cards continue to rank at the top of lists with 56.6 percent of consumers saying they plan on buying gift cards this year. Other popular items include toys (43.1%) and consumer electronic or computer related accessories (29.2%).
“Retailers have tried to entice consumers into the stores with early sales and promotions this holiday season, but shoppers are clearly on their own schedule,” said BIGresearch Vice President of Strategy Phil Rist.
“Because gift cards are never out of stock, consumers feel that they can wait until the last minute to start shopping. Retailers may continue to wrestle with the best ways to bring people into the stores early this year.”