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Mintels Comperemedia Tracks the Seasons Hottest Reward Deals for Last-Minute Shoppers
Chicago (December 22, 2005)-With last-minute holiday shoppers flooding stores, credit card companies are offering special incentives to boost holiday revenues. Mintels Comperemedia, a direct mail monitoring service, has noted a significant amount of holiday direct mail activity targeted toward current clients.
Comperemedia reports that more than 3.2 million direct mail campaigns regarding holiday credit card rewards and incentives were sent to consumers from September to November of this year alone.
"In the early fall, we started seeing the holiday card rewards trickle in to get customers in the shopping spirit," said Reagan Shea, regional director for Comperemedia. "Retailers have seen sales continue to build over the last few years, and that has given credit card companies increased opportunity to persuade shoppers with great new incentives. This season is looking healthy for shoppers, and credit card companies are benefiting from this."
Discover Card has several regional and national promotions running to increase consumer sales. Regionally-focused programs give cardholders a $20 Discover gift card if they make $200 in purchases at participating malls through January 1, 2006. The national promotion gives cardholders the opportunity to shop online for a 5 percent "Cashback Bonus" through December 31 on up to $500 in purchases (part of their periodic additional Cashback incentives.) Triple miles are on the table this season for Chase Continental credit card members. Participants using the card for select purchases can earn triple awards through December 31. MBNA America Bank has a sweepstakes where cardholders can enter to win either one $250,000 prize or one of 50,000 $25 Visa statement credits.
"The holiday season is the last major opportunity of the year for credit card companies to grow their sales numbers," said Shea. "Companies are hoping that increased seasonal promotions will spur consumers to use credit cards for all of their holiday shopping."
Mintel Comperemedia provides competitive intelligence for businesses looking to advance and improve their direct marketing strategy. Tracking direct marketing (including mail, email and print advertising) targeted at consumers, small businesses and insurance agents, Mintel Comperemedia offers a unique perspective on everything from banking trends to insurance trends to credit card statistics. For more than 38 years, Mintel has provided insight into key worldwide trends, leading the industry for consumer, product and media intelligence.
Joanna Peot
Public Relations Executive
312-628-7946
jpeot@mintel.com