-
Source: AMP Business
When it comes to Christmas shopping, gift cards are taking over as the gift of choice, according to a new survey.
Of the people surveyed by Ezi-Pay, 84% would like a gift card and 72% say they would prefer a gift card than an actual present.
Ezi-Pay chief executive David Spicer said that gift cards are "not new around the world, they're already extremely popular and they became the most popular gift a number of years ago".
In the US, gift cards are the second most popular present and Kiwis are catching on, said Spicer.
"New Zealand is lagging a few years behind but following the exact same trend," he said.
Ezi-Pay say the most popular gift cards for males are for electronic stores. For women, book store and clothing vouchers are most popular.
Even one day deal sites sell the gift cards.
Just over 70% of those surveyed say they are planning to shop online, and 40% say they would use one day deal sites to save cash on gifts.
Casey Eden from Grab One, a New Zealand-based one day deal website, said "for us it's about being more mobile, being in people's pockets".
"I mean smart phones are a huge part of people's shopping ability these days," Eden said.
"Making sure that we've got everything is available mobile is really important to us."
Latest Close Up Video
-
Students have bright ideas for Budget (5:38)
-
Budget to give employers confidence - PM (9:39)
-
Police 'did well' in Urewera raids - commissioner (5:29)
