New survey uncovers almost half of Canadians suffer from holiday gift giving
anxiety

Future Shop offers tips, tricks and solutions for successful gift giving

BURNABY, BC, Nov. 1 /CNW/ - As the most exciting retail destination for gift giving, Future Shop has partnered with Ipsos Reid to look into the gift giving anxiety that typically creeps up on Canadians during the holiday season. According to the new survey results, almost half of Canadians (44 per cent) find it difficult and stressful to buy gifts. Future Shop, Canada's largest retailer and e-tailer of consumer electronics, has the solution to make bad gifts and the stress that comes with them a thing of the past.

"Our survey revealed nine out of 10 Canadians participate in gift giving, which is why Future Shop offers knowledgeable Product Experts to help customers give and receive exciting gifts," said Todd Empey, Vice President of Operations, Future Shop. "We're committed to helping our customers find the right gift for everyone on their lists."

In fact, 72 per cent of Canadians rate Future Shop as 'good' or better in terms of stocking holiday gifts that are suitable for all friends and family. The right retailer may be exactly what is required to help please the remaining 28 per cent of Canadians who don't always like the gifts they receive.

"We offer gifts in a variety of categories and price ranges suitable for everyone," said Empey. "If you're really stumped, Future Shop offers gifts cards available in-store and online so you can let friends and family choose exactly what they want without the guessing."

Future Shop's Tips & Tricks for Successful Gift Giving

To help make gift giving a positive experience, Future Shop's Product Experts are available in stores and online to assist customers choose the perfect gifts this holiday:

• Pick a name, any name. Do a gift exchange where you pick a name of a family member out of a hat and buy a present for only that person. Focusing on one gift instead of many allows for a stress-level decrease and can help ensure you hit the mark.
• Ask or share. Instead of mind-reading, ask your friends and family what they want. Share what you desire on Facebook or broadcast it on Twitter. Surprisingly, 21 per cent of Canadians say they provide gift lists and 20 per cent drop hints.
• Be creative. When purchasing for someone difficult to please, be creative by offering consumer electronics and appliances that can both simplify and enrich the lives of your friends and families.
• You guessed it, stick to a budget. Get through the holidays with your head, and wallet, above water by planning ahead. Future Shop offers gifts for every price point to make sure you don't break the bank. Visit www.futureshop.ca to research and utilize features like 'Price Watch'.

Here are some of this year's exciting gifts that are worth stuffing in a stocking or placing under the tree:

Top Holiday Gifts
Powermat receiver for Blackberry Bold 9700 series   WebID: 10155357   $49.99	This device from Powermat replaces the battery door on your BlackBerry Bold 9700 and allows you to charge it wirelessly on a Powermat (sold separately). Its lean profile keeps your BlackBerry slim, so you don't have to deal with any additional bulk. http://tinyurl.com/2v8ycm9
Powermat Home and Office Wireless Charging Mat WebID: 10134745 $94.99	Now you can charge all your favourite devices without using cumbersome cabled chargers or wires. The Powermat Home and Office Mat lets you place up to 3 Powermat-enabled devices on it for simple, hassle free charging. And it includes a USB input for wired charging, too. http://tiny.cc/p6g5t
Sex and The City 2 with Bonus Disc (Blu-ray) WebID: M2185030 $29.99	Give the gift every lady will enjoy. The fun, the fashion, the friendship: Sex and the City 2 brings it all back and more. The girls come together to take another bite out of The Big Apple - and beyond - in a hilarious sequel http://tinyurl.com/394zeps
True Blood - The Complete First Season WebID: M2164738 $49.99	For the vampire enthusiast, True Blood offers violence, romance and mystery. Follow the vampires through their adventures, but watch out, because you may get hooked! http://tinyurl.com/39y5op2
Various Artists - All-Star Christmas WebID: M2010070 $9.99	This All-Star holiday CD includes Christmas songs by heavy hitters from every walk of the pop world. Diva Celine Dion, Babyface, Bluesman Keb, Jeff Beck and Al Green to name a few http://tinyurl.com/2ev6q6g
Propel RC ExecuHeli Wireless Indoor Remote Controlled Helicopter WebID: 10146846 $34.99	Pilot a helicopter from the comfort of your living room with the new ExecuHeli wireless indoor helicopter from Propel RC. It's specially designed for indoor flight, and comes complete with a wireless controller that will let you navigate for hours through hallways, bedrooms and stairways
Insignia Blu-ray Disc Player WebID: 10145089 $99.99	This Blu-ray player from Insignia is slim and chic, and delivers an amazing 1080p resolution for the sharpest picture with the most detail possible on your HDTV. It's an all-encompassing delight to the senses this season http://tinyurl.com/389t8ln
Memorex iPod Dock with Alarm Clock WebID: 10150130 $89.99	Don't wake up to that annoying buzz any longer. Set two different wake-up times so you can both enjoy waking to an iPod or iPhone. With easy-to-set time and alarm functions, this alarm clock charges your iPod or iPhone while you catch your ZZZs http://tinyurl.com/2c4cwu9
Otterbox Defender Series iPhone 4 Case WebID: 10154028 $69.99	The Otterbox Defender Series is the perfect gift for on-the go friends and family. It provides 3 layers of protection - stylish and slim, yet strong enough to handle all the drops, bumps, shocks and scratches life throws your way http://tinyurl.com/27dwuqn
Donkey Kong Country Returns (Nintendo Wii) WebID: 10147596 $49.99	Rediscover the world of classic barrel-rolling, banana-collecting, jungles and mine cart rides in Donkey Kong Country Returns. Featuring both Donkey and Diddy Kong, you'll enjoy a fun-packed gaming experience as you navigate new worlds, new challenges and incredible graphics http://tinyurl.com/2745apg
Sony High Definition SDHC Flash Pocket Camcorder (The Bloggie) WebID: 10142012 $199.95	When holiday fun happens, the all-new pocket-sized bloggie camera lets you capture, upload and share the action in high definition. It plays nicely with video sites, so it's easy to upload your photos and videos to the web. Capture HD MP4 video and 5-megapixel images with the bloggie camera http://tinyurl.com/2esxurw
Sony 5' eBook Reader Pocket Edition WebID: 10153047 $199.99	This trendy device is so convenient! Read books, newspapers, magazines, all at the touch of your finger. Its compact and lightweight body houses a 5-inch touchscreen. The best gift for on-the-go readers http://tinyurl.com/2vq9fzx
Keurig Single Serve Coffee Maker WebID: 10106550 $129.99	This single serve brewer allows you to make always fresh coffee, tea or Hot Chocolate and offer a wide variety of brands and flavours. Select your preferred cup size from eight and 10 oz. Perfect for holiday sleep-ins! http://tinyurl.com/2dpk4gq
Logitech 2.1 Channel Computer Speaker System WebID: 10154298 $199.99	Make the most of your computer this season, with the Logitech Z623. It is a THX-Certified 2.1 speaker system that delivers big, bold sound with 200 watts (RMS) of power from your music, movies and games. Plus, RCA and 3.5 mm inputs, and a built-in headphone jack make it easy to get great sound from up to three audio devices http://tinyurl.com/324n34u
Sony BRAVIA 46" 1080p 240Hz 3D-Ready LED HDTV (KDL46HX800) -Future Shop exclusive WebID: 10143111 $2,199.99	3D TVs are the latest and hottest technology this season. The Sony 3D-Ready HDTV is equipped with Dynamic Edge LED backlit controls, Motionflow 240Hz Pro technology and built-in WiFi with BRAVIA Internet Video. Also, it's packed with the best components so you'll see your favourite 2D programming at the most optimal settings http://tinyurl.com/38krcbj
Sony 5.1 Chanel 3D Blu-ray Home Theatre System WebID: 10143600 $569.99	This home theatre system will ensure your holiday party is the best yet! Featuring a 3D capable Blu-ray Disc and DVD player, 1080p upscaling of DVD media, and BD Live technology for downloading additional features, the BDVE870 takes entertainment to the next level http://tinyurl.com/2c3q97a

Pricing above is as of November 1, 2010. 

Visit www.futureshop.ca or download the Future Shop App for iPhone and iPod Touch for free from the iTunes store to browse more great gift ideas.

Canadian Gift Giving Habits

The reason behind the stress may come from how Canadians choose their gifts. When asked about the gift selection process, almost half (49 per cent) of Canadians choose gifts based on what they think the other person might want or like.

There is always one friend or family member who gives presents that are guaranteed to be exciting. And then there are those who never seem to get it right. When Canadians were asked which person was likely to give presents that were liked or enjoyed the following data was found:

• The 'significant other' topped the list, at 79 per cent
• Following closely were parents, step-parents and/or guardians at 68 per cent
• Friends stood at 65 per cent
• Siblings 63 per cent
• Grandparents 27 per cent
• Aunts or uncles 26 per cent

About the Study

These are the findings of an online Ipsos Reid poll, conducted via the Ipsos I-Say Panel on behalf of Future Shop. For the survey, a representative randomly-selected sample of 1,028 adult Canadians were interviewed online. With a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate to within ± 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire adult population of Canada been polled. The margin of error will be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population.  These data were weighted to ensure that the sample's regional and age/sex composition reflects that of the actual Canadian population according to Census data. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

About Future Shop

With 146 stores across the country and the nation's premier web store (www.futureshop.ca), Burnaby, BC-based Future Shop is Canada's largest retailer and e-tailer of consumer electronics. The company employs more than 10,000 technology enthusiasts, has enabled its website, Futureshop.ca, to deliver unparalleled content about the products it sells. Futureshop.ca also hosts an online community forum and tech blog for technology beginners and tech-savvy experts to exchange ideas, reviews, tips and other consumer electronics information (www.futureshopforums.ca). As a proud corporate citizen, Future Shop has developed solutions to recycle used electronics and is committed to employee volunteerism and supporting non-profit organizations dedicated to transforming local youth into Future Leaders (see www.futureshop.ca/futuregeneration).

For further information:

Media contact:
Elliott Chun │Future Shop │[email protected] │604.412.1764