Consumers remain largely unsure about what holiday gifts to
buy this year, according to the “Holiday Shopping Index” from StrategyOne, a
research firm.

The Index found that 79 percent of respondents were still
making up their mind about gifts.

Value remains an important consideration, with 40 percent of
those surveyed reporting they hadn’t done more Christmas shopping because they
were waiting for better deals or lower prices.

The survey found that 39 percent of Americans expect to
spend between $100 and $400 this year on gifts, while 23 percent plan to spend
$400 to $700. Only 10 percent expect to spend $700 to $1,000, and 7 percent
plan to spend $1,000 or more.

JCK