PRESS ARCHIVE

Retail Decisions predicts this Mother’s Day will be even busier than last year

NEW YORK – MAY 08 2009, Retail Decisions (ReD), a payment card issuer and world leader in card fraud prevention and payment processing, predicts this Mother’s Day will be busier than last year, with a 17 percent increase in gift purchases, despite the recession.

Although when it comes to picking the perfect gift for Mother’s Day this year, there is a renewed focus on value and how far the dollar can stretch in comparison to last year. This Mother’s Day, the number one gift item is cosmetic sets, as offered by Lancome and Clinique, which provide free gifts with each purchase, compared to last year’s gift cards. Other top ranking items include Wii Fit and GPS. Retail Decisions’ data has also revealed a 22 percent increase in flowers and chocolates highlighting the importance of pampering and treating Moms this year. 

The focus on value and cost-savings when it comes to Mother’s Day gifts is also demonstrated by the earlier online shopping period, where the peak shopping day for Mother’s Day this year occurred a week prior, on Monday May 4th, 2009.

On this peak shopping day, people are buying more for their Moms than last year, with a 10 percent increase in purchase volumes, but spending less, as the average transaction value on gifts has decreased by 7 percent. This Mother’s Day will witness the rise of the value-conscious, discerning, yet big hearted shopper, who won’t let the recession dampen Mother’s Day celebrations.

Carl Clump, Retail Decisions Chief Executive Officer comments, “Retailers have tapped into what matters to consumers with special offers and promotions, knowing that people won’t let the recession get in the way of treating their Moms. People are simply adjusting to the current economic climate by shopping differently this Mother’s Day by looking for special offers for example.”

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NOTE TO EDITORS: 

CONTACT US FOR A BRIEFING WITH CARL CLUMP, CEO OF RETAIL DECISIONS.

About Retail Decisions

Retail Decisions (ReD) is a payment card issuer and world leader in card fraud prevention and payment processing.  A specialist supplier to the payments industry worldwide, ReD has over 20 years experience in the fraud prevention market.  Its blue-chip international clients come from the global telecommunications, retail, travel, petroleum, banking and the broader e-commerce sectors.  They include Wal-Mart, Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Sears, Tesco, Texaco, Shell, Asda, Boots, John Lewis, The Carphone Warehouse, Comet, Travelocity, T-Mobile and Virgin Mobile.  The company has offices in the United States, UK, Mainland Europe, Australia, China and South Africa with representation in India, Japan, and South America. 

More information about ReD please visit:  www.redplc.com