Half of Canadians to last minute shop this holiday season

Toys"R"Us, Canada survey reveals parents top the list of those with gifts left to buy

TORONTO, Dec. 19, 2012 /CNW/ - With less than a week's worth of shopping days left before Christmas, half (50 per cent) of Canadians still have at least a quarter of their gifts left to buy, found a survey* commissioned by Toys"R"Us, Canada.  When looking at parents in particular, this number is even higher (55 per cent), suggesting that many will be scouring the shelves for the hottest toys and games in the final days leading up to Santa's arrival.

"Many parents and gift-givers lead very busy lives, and with just a few days left until Christmas, more than half of them still have items to purchase," said Liz MacDonald, vice president of marketing, Toys"R"Us, Canada.  "With thousands of toys, games and exclusive products available in-store and online, Toys"R"Us ensures that parents, grandparents, friends and loved ones will find the perfect gift for the little ones in their lives regardless of the date they shop."

For those who are still unsure of what to get the children on their list, fret not. Canadian parents who were polled as part of the recent Toys"R"Us, Canada survey* have revealed the products that topped their child(ren)'s wish lists this holiday season:

Video games and systems such as Skylanders™ Giants from Activision®	44%
Building sets and blocks such as LEGO Friends and LEGO® Ninjago Epic Dragon Battle from LEGO®	27%
Educational toys such as LeapPad2™ from LeapFrog®	24%
Dolls and interactive figures such as Winx Club™ from JAKKS Pacific®, Monster High™ from Mattel® and FURBY from Hasbro®	21%
Arts & crafts such as Crayola®Digital Light Designer from Crayola®	22%
Movie & television inspired toys such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™     from Spin Master™, Avengers™ Gamma Green Hulk Smash Fists from Hasbro® and Jake and the Neverland Pirates™ - Jake's Musical Pirate Ship Bucky from Fisher-Price®	21%

Last-minute shoppers can take advantage of Toys"R"Us' extended store hours nationwide - with many locations open until midnight (check store locator for local times). With convenient hours, the hottest toys, unique exclusive products and Toys"R"Us' Price Match Guarantee, it's not too late for toys to be checked off of wish lists before the holidays.

For customers who prefer online shopping to holiday crowds, toysrus.ca is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Those looking to shop 'on-the-go' can use Toys"R"Us' new mobile app which makes life easier by browsing and purchasing toys and games from an Apple or Android phone or tablet. eGift Cards can also be ordered at any time and can be redeemed in store or online, making a perfect last-minute present.

About Toys"R"Us, Canada:
Toys"R"Us (Canada) Ltd., is part of Toys"R"Us, Inc., the world's leading dedicated toy and juvenile products retailer. Toys"R"Us, Canada operates 74 stores across the country. For store locations and convenient online shopping visit www.toysrus.ca and babiesrus.ca.

*About the survey:
From December 6^th to December 8^th, 2012 an online survey was conducted among 2,003 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 2.2%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region (and in Quebec language) Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of Canada. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding. This survey contained a subsample of 475 parents and step-parents. The margin of error for the parents and step-parents is +/- 4.8%, 19 times out of 20.

 

SOURCE: Toys "R" Us (Canada) Ltd.

For further information:

Nicole Brightling | Citizen Relations | nicole.brightling@citizenrelations.com | 416.934.8099