Nov 17, 2009 8:51 pm US/Central
Is The Free Gift Box A Ghost Of Christmas Past?
Fewer Retailers Giving Them Away, Though Some Are Still Offering The Perk -- And Sometimes Gift-Wrapping
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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The list of retailers that provide free gift boxes -- or free gift-wrapping -- is growing smaller.
CBS
It used to be a rite of holiday shopping: a gift box to go along with your receipt.
Well, no more. This year, some of the big-name retailers are done giving boxes away.
Blame it on the economy, CBS 2's Mike Parker reports.
It's another sign that many retailers are trying to cut back, to balance what they expect will be sluggish holiday sales this season.
In years past, you would buy a sweater or some other gift -- anywhere -- and the clerk would ask, "You want that in a gift box?" And there it was, free.
But this year, more than a few major retailers are either declining to provide those boxes or charging you a dollar or more for them.
The 2009 shopping season is going to have a different feel.
"You used to be able to go up and ask for a box and ask for some extra for your other gifts, and they would gladly give them," shopper Denise Graham said.
This year, don't expect free gift boxes from Old Navy or TJ Maxx or the hip clothing store Abercrombie and Fitch. Even Mickey and Minnie will be on the cheap. There will be no free boxes from the Disney stores this year. Target won't be handing them out, either.
The stores can buy the boxes for pennies apiece, but those costs apparently add up to too much.
"Everybody has to cut back, and so if this can keep the store open, I'd rather them not give the gift box," shopper Evelyn Frazier said.
There are some exceptions. At Macy's, they're still providing boxes, and so is Victoria's Secret. And in the boutique district along West Armitage, American Apparel is not only still providing the boxes -- they'll wrap your gift, too, at no charge.
"A lot of my co-workers and myself love to gift-wrap for the customers, just because it gives them less work to do," assistant manager Sara Carman said. "I just like to do it because I just think it's fun."
The bottom line: If you get that new cardigan sweater from Aunt Gwendolyn and it comes in a gaudy holiday shopping bag, don't be surprised. This looks like a holiday season for lowered expectations.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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