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Holiday Shoppers Want Businesses to Help Them Do Good

Holiday Shoppers Want Businesses to Help Them Do Good

Published 11-13-06

Submitted by Cone Communications

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 13, 2006--Tis' the season of giving -- back. Findings from a nationwide poll to determine Americans' plans for charitable giving this holiday season show that more than half of Americans intend to purchase a holiday gift that gives back a portion of the proceeds to a cause. Furthermore, with less than 40 shopping days left, nearly six-out-of-ten shoppers aim to support a charity by making gift-giving purchases from retailers that support a philanthropic cause - up nearly 10 percent from 2005. The results of this year's Cone Holiday Trend Tracker, now in its ninth year, indicate that consumers are looking to Corporate America to provide opportunities that help them do good.

I plan to do the following this holiday season to support a cause:
20062005
Purchase a product in which a percentage of the price is
donated to a cause.
57%55%
Buy from a retailer that supports a cause.59%52%

"More than six-out-of-ten shoppers said that they are likely to consider a company's reputation for supporting causes when purchasing gifts this holiday season," noted Julia Hobbs Kivistik, Executive Vice President, Cause Branding, Cone Inc. "Survey findings underscore the importance of business involvement in causes." Added Kivistik, "Companies can leverage this season of giving, and attract the attention of busy holiday shoppers, if they offer consumers an easy and affordable way to engage in charitable giving."

"The holiday season is not the only time of the year that Americans shop with a cause in mind," continued Kivistik. "Companies have an opportunity to engage consumers and remain relevant to their target audiences year-round by establishing a deep, ongoing cause commitment."

The 2006 Cone Holiday Trend Tracker also shows that Americans plan to increase their overall charitable activities in comparison to 2005.

I plan to do the following to support a cause, issue or charity this holiday season:
20062005
Write a check to support a cause or charity56%50%
Volunteer49%37%
Go to a fundraising event36%29%
Use the Internet to support or get involved with a cause21%15%

Health, education, the environment, poverty, homelessness - for every cause, there is a cause-related shopping opportunity this time of year. Savvy marketers looking to do well this holiday season by helping consumers do good include:

Jockey's corporate citizenship initiative, Jockey Being Family, which provides newly adoptive families a place to turn when they need a helping hand. Now in its third year, Jockey looks to engage consumers through the sale of its "Being Family Bear." Released just in time for the holiday season, customers can purchase a Being Family teddy bear for $7.50 at jockey.com and retail stores nationwide, $3 of which goes towards charities supporting adoption.

(PRODUCT) RED officially launched in the United States on October 13, 2006, which encourages consumers to purchase (RED) branded products to raise money and awareness for The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. (PRODUCT) RED has teamed up with the world's most iconic brands to produce products where a percentage of each product sold will be given directly to The Global Fund to help women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa. 2006 U.S. holiday season products include the Apple iPod nano, the Motorola RAZR V3m and Bluetooth Headset H500, Converse sneakers and fashion lines from The Gap and Emporio Armani.

MAC Aids Fund which launched its 11th annual "Kids Helping Kids Card Campaign", a fundraising campaign that promotes a holiday pack of six greeting cards featuring artwork from children ages 3 to 15 infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS. All proceeds from MAC holiday card sales go towards supporting pediatric AIDS programs worldwide.

Macy's which has rolled out its "Thanks for Sharing" holiday promotion again this season. From October 4 until December 30, customers can enroll in the program for a $25 fee and receive 10% rewards on purchases made with their Macy's card through December 30. With each enrollment, the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign and the Make-A-Wish Foundation will split a $10 donation.

About this Survey:

The 2006 Cone Holiday Trend Tracker, now in its ninth year, is an annual survey commission by Boston-based Cone, Inc (www.coneinc.com). It is part of a longitudinal study to examine consumer attitudes toward charitable giving this holiday season. Findings are the results of a telephone survey conducted from November 3-6, 2006 among a national probability sample of 1,022 adults comprised of 510 men and 512 women 18 years of age and older, living in private households in the continental United States. It was conducted by Opinion Research Corporation International and has an error margin of +/- three percentage points.

About Cone

Cone, Inc (www.coneinc.com) is a strategy and communications agency engaged in building brand trust. Cone creates stakeholder loyalty and long-term relationships through the development and execution of Cause Branding(TM), Brand Marketing, Corporate Responsibility and Crisis Prevention and Management initiatives. Cone is a member of The Omnicom Group.

Copyright Business Wire 2006

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Cone Communications

Cone Communications

Cone Communications is a public relations and marketing agency known for igniting brands with high-impact strategies and programs based in deep insights, unique subject matter expertise and innovation. Focusing on key areas such as consumer product media relations, social media, cause marketing, corporate social responsibility, nonprofit marketing, corporate communications and crisis prevention/management - the agency is positioned to help clients achieve both business and societal outcomes.

Cone Communications is a part of Diversified Agency Services, a division of Omnicom Group Inc.

For potential client interest, please contact:
Marc Berliner
mberliner@conecomm.com
(617) 939-8467
Vice President Business Development

Bill Fleishman
bfleishman@conecomm.com
617-227-2111
CEO

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