FEATURE/Americans Let Go of the Past with Surprising Holiday Gift Preferences.

Gift Cards & Cash Top Consumer Wants in the 8(th) Annual Coinstar National Currency Poll

BELLEVUE, Wash. -- The gift that many Americans plan to give this year may not be what recipients want. Visions of festively wrapped toys and gifts under the tree drive purchasing decisions, but gift recipients say they want the flexibility that gift cards and cash provide.

The 8th Annual Coinstar National Currency Poll for the holidays revealed consumer attitudes toward seasonal gifting that is driving a strong interest in gift card purchases.

"Gift cards help us satisfy the needs of both the giver and receiver," said George White of Coinstar, Inc. "They allow us to reconcile our desire to give a meaningful gift while still respecting the recipient's personal tastes. You never have to return a gift card."

Gift Cards and Cash Edge Out Traditional Gifts in Preference

Holiday shoppers take notice: Collectively, retailer gift cards/gift certificates and cash/checks now edge out traditional gifts as the most popular presents to receive this season with 47% of those polled desiring gift cards, cash or checks and 40% wanting traditional gifts. This data also indicates that what consumers plan to give this holiday season may not be what recipients want.

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(1) Includes apparel, toys, jewelry, appliances, etc.

When polled for the top reasons behind giving more gift cards or cash for the holidays, respondents favored recipient benefits over shopper convenience. Gift Card benefits to the recipient include: choice in gift selection (62%), avoiding returns (19%), increased post-holiday buying power (14%) and giving what the recipient wants (13%). Cash benefits to recipients include: choice in gift selection (48%), giving what the recipient wants (18%), increased post-holiday buying power (3%) and avoiding returns (2%).

How Much is in YOUR Present?

When asked what would be the minimum dollar value for each type of gift category, on average cash and checks top gift values at $40.44, with purchased items running second at $39.20, and retailer gift cards/gift certificates coming in last at $37.45. According to the 8th Annual Coinstar National Currency Poll, $25 is the most frequent denomination of gifting for all types of gifts.

This Season's Shopping Cart

While the number one gift people plan to buy will be purchased items, this is what their entire shopping cart will consist of: traditional purchased items (45%), cash and checks (16%), retailer gift cards/gift certificates (17%), homemade items (9%), an "event" or "experience gift" (6%) and gourmet gift baskets and other food items (4%). Four percent will be a variety of "other" gifts and 3% did not know their purchase choices.

About the Poll

The Coinstar National Currency Poll was developed in 1998 to provide information to better understand coin and currency habits in America, and track trends, behaviors and attitudes towards currency - both traditional and new forms, as well as related seasonal topics. The November 2006 Coinstar poll results for the holidays were compiled from a telephone research study conducted by International Communications Research, an independent marketing research firm. Each study included a nationally representative sample of more than 1,000 American's age 18+, with a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent.

A fact sheet containing additional detail on the 8th Annual Coinstar National Currency Poll is available from Coinstar.

Coinstar, Inc. the leader in self-service coin counting in supermarkets, now offers free coin counting when consumers redeem their coins for gift cards and/or eCertificates from leading national retailers such as Starbucks, Amazon.com, iTunes, Borders, Waldenbooks, Eddie Bauer, Linens 'n Things, Pier 1 Imports and Hollywood Video.

About Coinstar, Inc.

Coinstar, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSTR) is a multi-national company offering a range of 4th Wall[TM] solutions for the retailers' front of store consisting of self-service coin counting, electronic payment solutions, amusement vending, money transfer and self-service DVD rental. The company's products and services can be found at more than 60,000 retail locations including supermarkets, drug stores, mass merchants, convenience stores, banks, credit unions and restaurants. For more information, visit www.coinstar.com.