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Retailers Profit From Unused Gift Cards

Posted on: Sunday, 17 December 2006, 21:00 CST

LOS ANGELES - Shoppers across America have millions of gift cards tucked away in envelopes, drawers and wallets. And some of the nation's largest retailers are profiting as a result.

"It can be fun to get them, but then I forget about them," said Deborah Cabaret, 46, who has hundreds of dollars worth of unused cards. "Or I walk into the store, I look around, I don't know what I want, and I leave."

Last winter, Best Buy Co. reported a $43 million gain in fiscal 2006 from cards that hadn't been used in two or more years. Limited Brands Inc. recorded $30 million in 2005 revenue because of unredeemed cards.

Even so, this holiday season is likely to see record sales of gift cards. The National Retail Federation, a trade group, estimates that shoppers will buy $24.8 billion worth of cards, up 34 percent from last year.

More places offer gift cards these days, including drugstores, jewelers, spas and even supermarkets. Shoppers are buying cards with higher dollar values, and more stores are packaging the cards with accessories to make them look less like plastic money.

About 6 percent, or $4.8 billion, of this year's gift cards will go unused, estimated Laura Lane, vice president of unclaimed property services for Keane Co., a compliance and risk management consulting firm.

Consumer Reports put the figure even higher, estimating that 19 percent of those who received cards last year had not used them because the cards were lost or expired.

"It can add up to significant dollars," Lane said. "I think the message to consumers is: use it or regift it."

Some gift cards get spent faster than others. Supermarkets and gas stations have close to 100 percent redemption rates, said Bob Skiba, who runs the gift card division of Ceridian Corp.'s Comdata gift card division, based in Louisville, Ky.

"You don't have to buy a sweater every day, but you do have to eat and fill up your car," Skiba said.

Retailers say they would rather see customers use the cards.

"They have money in their pockets that's pointed to our store," said John Fleming, Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s marketing chief and a former Target Corp. executive.

In addition, a retailer can't report revenue from a gift card when it is sold. The revenue is recognized as the card is used or after it has gone a long time without being used.

Research shows that most consumers will spend more than the card is worth, using their own money to make up the difference.

Source: Associated Press/AP Online

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