ed to do is push gift cards. In todays fast paced life style, window shopping or browsing is a luxury that most people don't have or don't want to do, with their limited free time. Gift cards are the driThe old adage you've got to spend money to make money is no where more true than with gift cards. Look around all I've seen advertised on television and in the newspapers this holiday season has been for the purchase of gift cards. It's as if Walmart, BestBuy and Target don't have any merchandise to sell.

Advertising today is very expensive. People in marketing know that to advertise for 1 specific product nationally or locally can cost thousands if not millions of dollars. Is it worth it to sell 1 product. For those interested in that product they might venture into the store and while there, they may purchase other items, but what about those not interested in that product? All that money spent and no direct result seems like a waste. What the marketing departments in these companies have decided to do is push gift cards. In todays fast paced life style, window shopping or browsing is a luxury that most people don't have or don't want to do, with their limited free time. Gift cards are the driv

the purchase of gift cards. It's as if Walmart, BestBuy and Target don't have any merchandise to sell.

Advertising today is very expensive. People in marketing know that to advertise for 1 specific product nationally or locally can cost thousands if not millions of dollars. Is it worth it to sell 1 product. For those interested in that product they might venture into the store and while there, they may purchase other items, but what about those not interested in that product? All that money spent and no direct result seems like a waste. What the marketing departments in these companies have decided to do is push gift cards. In todays fast paced life style, window shopping or browsing is a luxury that most people don't have or don't want to do, with their limited free time. Gift cards are the dri

c product nationally or locally can cost thousands if not millions of dollars. Is it worth it to sell 1 product. For those interested in that product they might venture into the store and while there, they may purchase other items, but what about those not interested in that product? All that money spent and no direct result seems like a waste. What the marketing departments in these companies have decided to do is push gift cards. In todays fast paced life style, window shopping or browsing is a luxury that most people don't have or don't want to do, with their limited free time. Gift cards are the driy may purchase other items, but what about those not interested in that product? All that money spent and no direct result seems like a waste. What the marketing departments in these companies have decided to do is push gift cards. In todays fast paced life style, window shopping or browsing is a luxury that most people don't have or don't want to do, with their limited free time. Gift cards are the dried to do is push gift cards. In todays fast paced life style, window shopping or browsing is a luxury that most people don't have or don't want to do, with their limited free time. Gift cards are the drive-throughs for these retailers. Quickly pick up a card, plunk down some cash and be on your way. Gift cards have become trendy and very convenient for the consumers.

This sounds good for the consumer but why is the retailer pushing the cards. Do they genuinely want their customers to be happy? Perhaps, but being a synic I can suggest other reasons. Firstly, gift cards are great for cash flow. The cash sits in the retailers account and waits for the purchase at a later time. Secondly some gift cards never get utilised, they might be lost or forgotten. Thirdly, the average consumer when making a purchase using their gift cards, spend more than the gift card amount. Fourthly with gift cards you cut down on returns to the stores. The cashiers spend less time, merchandise isn't destroyed or abused and