The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
According to a new study conducted by Ipsos-Reid on behalf of Retail Council of Canada, the average expected holiday spending on gifts and other expenditures such as clothing, travel, beauty services, food, drink, or entertainment is $991 per person. Specifically, Canadian gift givers expect to spend an average of $547 on gifts this year. "Our industry is approaching the 2004 holiday season with a high degree of optimism as retail sales are continuing to gain momentum in time for the busiest shopping season of the year," states Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO, Retail Council of Canada. "Increased consumer confidence and a steady growth in the economy account for this holiday season's positive outlook." "It's clear from our latest economic confidence tracking, Canadians have a robust outlook which should play into the holiday season," said John Wright, Senior Vice President of Ipsos-Reid Public Affairs. "The findings in the research suggest that with only a few exceptions across the country, retail spending should be solid and positive." Other findings: - Nine in ten (91%) Canadians plan to give gifts to others this holiday season. - On average, Canadians who plan to give gifts expect to spend $547 on others this holiday season. - Canadians living in Ontario expect to spend the most ($650), followed by those in Atlantic Canada ($589), British Columbia ($552), Saskatchewan/Manitoba ($492), Alberta ($483), and Quebec ($404). - Men ($556) expect to spend slightly more than women ($539) this holiday season. - Expected holiday gift spending across the ages: 18-34 years old ($499), 35-54 years old ($586), 55 years or older ($545). - Canadians with an annual household income of $60,000 or more ($694) expect to spend more than those with $30,000 to just under $60,000 ($538), and those with less than $30,000 ($355). - On average, Canadians expect to spend $444 this holiday season in areas other than gifts such as clothing, travel, beauty services, foodand drink, or entertainment.12/14/2004
