89% Of Canadians Received A Gift Card During The Holidays

PLEASANTON, Calif., May 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackhawk Network, a leading provider of prepaid and financial payment products for consumers and businesses, found that an overwhelming majority of Canadians happily received gift cards this past holiday season.

A recent survey, conducted by Blackhawk Network, revealed that 89% of Canadians received a gift card and 74% preferred this present over an item from their favorite store. The gift card recipient was able to purchase what they really wanted, without the hassle of returning presents or cluttering their homes with unwanted gifts.

"A branded gift card is the perfect present for the holidays, offering many benefits for both the recipient and gift giver," said Steve Dekker, managing director and group vice president, Blackhawk Network Canada. "Giving your friends and family a gift card saves you time and allows the recipient to purchase what they want, when they want it. The gift of choice is what makes this one of the most sought after presents in Canada and across the globe."

Blackhawk Network's Gift Card Store™ features more than 300 retail partners across a variety of categories in entertainment, restaurants, home and fashion.

About Blackhawk Network

Blackhawk Network, a subsidiary of Safeway Inc., is a leading provider of prepaid and financial payments products for consumers and businesses. The company's Gift Card Mall™ offers the industry's most popular prepaid gift card and telecom products. Gift Card Mall reaches more than 165 million people each week through an exclusive network of leading grocery stores, big box, convenience, pharmacy, and specialty stores and is available through Internet retailers including GiftCardMall.com. Blackhawk Network's business solutions include reward and incentive programs that offer choice and flexibility through a wide array of card brands, custom designed Visa® prepaid cards and fulfillment options.