Prepare to get just what you didn't want this Christmas

Equifax research offers timely advice for shoppers with just one shopping weekend to go

London, December 2014 – The latest research from Equifax, the credit information provider, reveals that nearly a third (29%) of individuals said that they receive unwanted gifts at Christmas. With just one shopping weekend to go, consumers are more likely to buy unwanted gifts in the rush before Christmas.

Key findings from the Equifax research include:

  • 29% of people say 10% of the gifts they receive are unwanted
  • Over a quarter (26%) give their unwanted gifts to charity shops
  • 16% plan to sell the gifts that they do not want
  • Over a quarter (26%) wait until after February before disposing of unwanted gifts
  • 8% of individuals can’t wait to re-gift or resell an item and do so immediately

“A lot of money can be spent on presents for family and friends at Christmas which can leave people struggling financially in the new year”, commented Andrew Webb, Head of Equifax Personal Solutions. “Yet our research seems to suggest that some of the expense is not even appreciated.

“For some of those who do receive unwanted presents, it seems that they see this as an opportunity to save on future gift buying with 18% admitting that they would ‘re-gift’. However, the spirit of the festive season does seem to be felt by some, with just over a quarter (26%) saying they donate unwanted gifts to charity.”

The seasonal research from Equifax also reveals that when it comes to dealing with unwanted gifts, over a quarter wait until after February. However, 11% are more hasty, only waiting until the week after Christmas and 18% dispose of unwanted gifts in January.

“Some people can prove very difficult to buy gifts for at Christmas, and our research provides an interesting insight into what happens to unwanted presents”, added Andrew Webb. “It may be that a bit more planning could be the key to getting that perfect present and ensuring that loved ones don’t feel disappointed on Christmas Day.”

ENDS

For further press information, please contact: Clare Watson, Cecile Stearn, Parm Heer or Wendy Harrison at HSL on 020 8977 9132 / Fax: 020 8977 5200 or email: equifaxbtocteam@harrisonsadler.com

About Equifax

Equifax is a global leader in consumer, commercial and workforce information solutions that provide businesses of all sizes and consumers with insight and information they can trust. Equifax organizes and assimilates data on more than 600 million consumers and 81 million businesses worldwide. The company’s significant investments in differentiated data, its expertise in advanced analytics to explore and develop new multi-source data solutions, and its leading-edge proprietary technology enable it to create and deliver unparalleled customized insights that enrich both the performance of businesses and the lives of consumers.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Equifax operates or has investments in 19 countries and is a member of Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500® Index. Its common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol EFX. In 2013, Equifax was named a Bloomberg BusinessWeek Top 50 company, was #3 in Fortune's Most Admired list in its category, and was named to InfoWeek 500 as well as the FinTech 100. For more information, please visit www.equifax.com.

Equifax Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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