RedPlum(TM) Releases Second-annual Coupon and Savings Survey in Conjunction With National Coupon Month
11 September 2009 - 4:56AM
PR Newswire (US)
Shopper Mindset Changing Toward Value Lifestyle; Spending More Time
and Effort Seeking Savings LIVONIA, Mich., Sept. 10 /PRNewswire/ --
RedPlum, a leading provider of deals and savings on brands
consumers want most, announced today the results of its
second-annual coupon and savings survey conducted on its value and
lifestyle Web site, http://www.redplum.com/. This year's survey had
almost four times the participation of last year, a likely
indication of the increased interest in deals and saving money. The
findings reveal insight into how today's consumers are saving, in
what categories they are seeking their greatest savings and how
much time they are devoting to deal-seeking. According to the
survey of more than 19,300 consumers across the country, 93% of the
respondents think it is more important to find ways to save money
today than it was last year, up 5% from the same period in 2008.
This sentiment exists across all income levels, whether consumers
make $20,000, $50,000 or $100,000. The survey revealed key drivers
to find deals and ways to save. Taking first place, 84% cited
saving as "the intelligent thing to do;" a signal of the shift in
shopper mindset toward value. This was followed by 76% citing
rising food costs as a practical reason to seek coupons and 73%
liking to find deals or treasures, which aligns with the company's
research indicating consumers enjoy scoring a great deal. The poll
also shows that 98% are most interested in coupons and deals for
groceries, up 10% from last September. "Our survey quantifies the
importance of deals, coupons and savings," said Lisa Reynolds,
Valassis Vice President of Consumer Engagement. "In today's
uncertain economy, it's no surprise that saving is more important
than before, but the significant finding is that the numbers are
pointing even higher this year. As some analysts report signs of an
economic upturn, the value-seeking consumer mindset will likely
remain and their spending habits may change permanently." By
spending as little as 20 minutes per week, the average consumer can
save $1,000 per year by taking advantage of the coupon and special
offers they receive. Forty-three percent of survey respondents save
$21 or more per week using coupons. When planning shopping lists,
78% of respondents are likely to match it to both their grocery
circulars and coupons, further maximizing their savings. RedPlum's
media portfolio delivers value-oriented promotions on a weekly
basis to over 100 million people in the mail, newspaper, in-store
and online. On redplum.com, consumers can quickly find coupons,
offers and tips - ranging from grocery to kids, home to healthy
living, and dining to entertainment - in their local area. Notable
Savings Numbers: -- 47% spend more than 30% of their time looking
for coupons online versus 27% of respondents last year -- 46% spent
up to one hour per week looking for coupons in 2008, compared to
26% in 2009 -- 18% save $21-30 weekly by using coupons; 25% save
more than $30 -- 98% use coupons for groceries; followed by 75% for
restaurants/dining out and 60% for clothing -- 52% visit their
favorite savings or deals Web site weekly -- 80% are redeeming more
printable/online coupons than last year -- 67% share/swap coupons
and hot deals with family and friends -- 94% said a coupon is
"somewhat likely" or "likely" to influence them to switch
brands/retailers Source: RedPlum 2009 Online Survey Editor's Note:
September is National Coupon Month. This September marks the 12th
year that the Promotion Marketing Association has celebrated
National Coupon Month. About RedPlum RedPlum brings consumers
relevant offers and good deals on the brands they want most to best
stretch their budgets. We deliver deals on a weekly basis to over
100 million shoppers in the mailbox, in the newspaper, in-store and
online. At redplum.com, you will find one of the largest
collections of printable coupons, coupon codes and savings tips
along with the best deals and the sweetest coupons plus trends,
tips and inside information on what to wear, buy and do right now.
RedPlum is the consumer brand of Valassis, a Michigan-based company
that has been delivering savings and value for nearly 40 years.
Building upon our wish to help American families, we empower the
public to take part in the effort to help safely recover missing
children through our America's Looking For Its Missing Children
program, which appears on our RedPlum products. For more
information, visit http://www.redplum.com/. To learn about
advertising opportunities with RedPlum, please call 1-800-437-0479.
Safe Harbor and Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements found
in this document constitute "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and
uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results,
performance or achievements to be materially different from any
future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by
such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among
others, the following: price competition from our existing
competitors; new competitors in any of our businesses; a shift in
client preference for different promotional materials, strategies
or coupon delivery methods, including, without limitation, as a
result of declines in newspaper circulation; an unforeseen increase
in paper or postal costs; changes which affect the businesses of
our clients and lead to reduced sales promotion spending,
including, without limitation, a decrease of marketing budgets
which are generally discretionary in nature and easier to reduce in
the short-term than other expenses; our substantial indebtedness,
and ability to refinance such indebtedness, if necessary, and our
ability to incur additional indebtedness, may affect our financial
health; the financial condition, including bankruptcies, of our
clients, suppliers, senior secured credit facility lenders or other
counterparties; our ability to comply with or obtain modifications
or waivers of the financial covenants contained in our debt
documents; certain covenants in our debt documents could adversely
restrict our financial and operating flexibility; recent
disruptions in the credit markets that make it difficult for
companies to secure financing; fluctuations in the amount, timing,
pages, weight and kinds of advertising pieces from period to
period, due to a change in our clients' promotional needs,
inventories and other factors; our failure to attract and retain
qualified personnel may affect our business and results of
operations; a rise in interest rates could increase our borrowing
costs; we may be required to recognize additional impairment
charges against goodwill and intangible assets in the future; the
outcome of ADVO's pending shareholder lawsuits; our current
litigation with News America Incorporated has been and may continue
to be costly and may divert management's attention; possible
governmental regulation or litigation affecting aspects of our
business; the credit and liquidity crisis in the financial markets
could continue to affect our results of operations and financial
condition; reductions of our credit rating may have an adverse
impact on our business; counterparties to our secured credit
facility and interest rate swaps may not be able to fulfill their
obligations due to disruptions in the global credit markets;
uncertainty in the application and interpretation of applicable
state sales tax laws may expose us to additional sales tax
liability; and general economic conditions, whether nationally,
internationally, or in the market areas in which we conduct our
business, including the adverse impact of the ongoing economic
downturn on the marketing expenditures and activities of our
clients and prospective clients as well as our vendors, with whom
we rely on to provide us with quality materials at the right prices
and in a timely manner. These and other risks and uncertainties
related to our business are described in greater detail in our
filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission,
including our reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q and the foregoing
information should be read in conjunction with these filings. We
disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise. DATASOURCE: Valassis; RedPlum CONTACT:
Mary Broaddus, Director, Investor Relations and Corporate
Communications, +1-734-591-7375, Web Site: http://www.redplum.com/
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