Does Bad News for Retailers Mean Good News for Charities This Holiday Season?

New International Study: U.S. and Canada

Americans and Canadians Plan to Spend Less on Holidays But Remain Generous Despite Tough Economy

World Vision Survey Says Economy Continues to Affect Charitable Giving Especially in United States

SEATTLE, Nov. 18, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Despite early projections of a robust holiday season for U.S. retailers, according to a new U.S.- Canada study commissioned by World Vision, an international relief and development organization, more Americans, almost 7 out of 10 (69 percent), say they'll spend less on holiday presents this year as a result of the current economic climate. Last year, just over half (only 57 percent) said they would. Earlier this month, a consumer study for the National Retail Federation predicted that holiday spending this year in the United States would be up 2.3 percent. That study also said the economy would have less of an effect on holiday spending this year than in 2009.

According to the World Vision survey, conducted by telephone by Harris Interactive in November 2010, the tough economy will affect holiday shoppers in the United States harder than it will hit Canadians. Americans are more likely than their Canadian counterparts to say that, as a result of the economic climate, they will spend less money on holiday gifts (69% vs. 61%) and are now more likely to give charitable gifts as holiday presents (51% vs. 42%).

2010 HOLIDAYS: AMERICANS MORE GENEROUS?

KEY FINDINGS

About half of Americans (51%) said they'd be more likely to give a charitable gift as a holiday present but only about 4 in 10 Canadians (42%) said they would.

As a result of the current economic climate. MORE Americans, almost 7 out of 10 (69 percent) say they'll spend less on holiday presents this year. Last year, only 57 percent said they would.

"This survey shows that, during uncertain economic times, Americans continue to prioritize helping those in need," says Devin Hermanson, World Vision-US Gift Catalog Senior Director. "Even more so than our neighbors to the north, Americans are determined to reach out with charitable gifts like those found in the World Vision Gift Catalog this Christmas season."

This is the third year World Vision has commissioned Harris Interactive to conduct research on how charitable giving would be affected by the recession. This is the first year the U.S. and Canada have been included in the same comprehensive study.

"A gift given from the Gift Catalog significantly improves the life of a child or family in need by providing tools and opportunities to overcome extreme poverty while at the same time honoring your friends and loved ones," says Hermanson. For each World Vision gift, the giver can make the purchase in the name of a friend, family member, or business associate. World Vision then sends special cards to those individuals, describing the gifts and their impact. In the following year, the gift itself or intervention reaches the child or family in need.

Last year alone, the World Vision U.S. Gift Catalog raised $27 million and provided assistance to more than 675,000 people around the world. This year's projected goal: $32 million. In 2009, the World Vision Canada Gift Catalogue raised more than $18 million. World Vision launched the Gift Catalog in 1996. Since then it's raised over $130 million dollars. And while a goat ($75) may be World Vision's number one seller, there are more than 100 gifts (many under $35) to choose from.

To order in Canada: www.worldvision.ca/gifts or call toll-free 800-844-7993.

World Vision Canada Gift Catalogue on facebook: http://facebook.com/worldvisioncan

To order in the United States: www.worldvisiongifts.org or call toll-free 888-511-6511.

World Vision U.S. Gift Catalog on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/worldvisiongiftcatalog

The poll was conducted by telephone within the U.S. and Canada by Harris Interactive on behalf of World Vision, an international Christian relief and development organization, among 1,021 U.S. adults (ages 18 +)  and 1,042 Canadian adults (ages 18+) between Nov 3 - Nov 7, 2010.

About World Vision

World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. We serve the world's poor, regardless of a person's religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, visit www.worldvision.org.

SOURCE World Vision U.S.