Two-fifths (41%) of the population of Great Britain would prefer to receive a gift voucher or gift card over a traditional gift, according to a recent survey.
The survey was conducted by YouGov and commissioned by The Gift Voucher and Gift Card Association (The VA).
Regionally, the north of England is a gift voucher and gift card hot spot with respondents showing the greatest preference, whereas Londoners would be the least satisfied with a gift card or gift voucher.
In terms of age, the survey revealed that 35 to 44 year olds, along with those over 55 years old, have a higher preference for gift vouchers and gift cards (55 per cent). Interestingly, however, it is younger people (18 to 24 year olds) in Great Britain that are actually the most likely group to receive gift cards and gift vouchers.
The results also revealed that 76 per cent of women have given a gift voucher compared to 63 per cent of men. Women have also given more gift cards; 49 per cent compared to 34 per cent of men.
Andrew Johnson, director-general of The Gift Voucher and Gift Card Association, commented: “While these results demonstrate that vouchers and gift cards prove to be a popular gift choice for people across each demographic, it is interesting that the older age groups are the most predisposed to receiving them when it is the younger age group that receive the most.
“Perhaps these findings will make Christmas shopping for parents and grandparents all the more easy by opting for one of the many vouchers and gift cards on the market that offer the choice to cater for their tastes.”