New study reveals almost half of Canadian males are last-minute holiday
shoppers

Future Shop offers shopping advice, hot sellers with nine days left until Santa comes to town

BURNABY, BC, Dec. 16 /CNW/ - Believe it or not, there are just nine days left until the jolly old man in the big red suit drops by homes across the country. If you have yet to start your holiday shopping, you are not alone. In a recent Leger Marketing survey commissioned by Future Shop, almost half of Canadian men confessed to leaving their holiday shopping to the last minute every year. Nationwide, more than one-third of Canadians admitted to shopping in the four days leading to December 25 .

"We know last minute shoppers exist and we want to make their lives easier by sharing our insights on what best selling consumer electronics are topping wish lists this year," said Nikki Hellyer , Director of Marketing, Future Shop. "With the best selection and the lowest price guaranteed, Future Shop has the gifts that will satisfy everyone on the holiday shopping list."

To help save time and stress for chronic last-minute shoppers, Future Shop has compiled the top five reasons to change your last-minute shopping habits:

    
    1.  Beat the rush: With more than 32 per cent of Canadians admitting to
        doing their holiday shopping in the four days leading up to December
        25, stores can seem chaotic. Prepare in advance to beat the crowds by
        researching gifts online and reserving them for pick-up in a store
        near you. Also, take advantage of Future Shop's extended store hours
        this holiday. Visit Futureshop.ca to find the store closest to you.

    2.  Get it delivered: If you start shopping now, you leave enough time
        for delivery and can take advantage of the ultimate bliss - shopping
        online. Visit individual websites to determine the last possible day
        for orders - Future Shop lets you place orders online as late as
        December 22 with your gifts delivered by the 24. For details, visit
        Futureshop.ca

    3.  Holiday sales: While the majority (58 per cent) of Canadians believe
        the best sales are yet to come on Boxing Day, almost half of
        Canadians (47 per cent) have already taken advantage of the sales to
        date - confirming that the deals are in fact here. Future Shop is
        making things easy with some of the best deals of the year available
        in-stores now. Go in-store or online to find the best gift for the
        best price - with no waiting necessary.

    4.  Price guarantee: Until January 3, 2010 (for purchases made November 1
        onward) Future Shop has a low-price guarantee to ensure that you get
        the best price out there. Customers have the assurance they've bought
        their products at the lowest advertised price. Exceptions do apply -
        e.g. Boxing Day offers and limited quantity items, check
        Futureshop.ca for details.

    5.  Gifts that fit: Almost 60 per cent of Canadians believe last-minute
        shopping results in a "less-desirable" gift. With December 25 a
        little over a week away, the pickings are slimmer and the last thing
        you want is an upset loved one after they unwrap a homemade sock
        puppet.

    Consider the following top sellers at Future Shop this season to help give
the best gifts for everyone on your list:

    Entertain me

    -   Samsung 46" 1080p LCD HDTV(xx) - Future Shop Exclusive - $1149.99 Web
        ID: 10121236 http://tinyurl.com/y895a6b
    -   Pioneer iPod Audio System - $499.99 Web ID: 10133461
        http://tinyurl.com/ycjplme
    -   Logitech Harmony One Universal Remote - $309.99 Web ID: 10099158
        http://tinyurl.com/69oylr
    -   SONY Bluray Disc Player - $179.99 Web ID: 10124075
        http://tinyurl.com/yld64hm

    A night in

    -   The Hangover (Future Shop Exclusive Bonus Bottle Opener) - $29.99 Web
        ID: M2172502 http://tinyurl.com/ycc9pqt
    -   Terminator Salvation (Future Shop Exclusive IronPack) - $29.99 Web
        ID: M2172501 http://tinyurl.com/yg3bklc

    Strike a pose

    -   Flip Mino Camcorder (F360W-CA) - White - Web Only - $169.99 Web ID:
        10124433 http://tinyurl.com/ycmxwxf
    -   Pentax Optio 10MP Compact Camera - $99.99 Web ID: 10132035
        http://tinyurl.com/y9ct3q2 Young at heart
    -   Powermat Home and Office Wireless Charging Mat - $99.99 Web ID:
        10134745 http://tinyurl.com/yawg74c
    -   ITC Duck Hunter Virtual Hunting Game - $34.99 Web ID: 10126985
        http://tinyurl.com/y86owbw
    -   Apple 8GB 3rd Generation iPod Touch - $179.99 Web ID: 10129471
        http://tinyurl.com/yked64u
    -   Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (PlayStation 3) - $59.99 Web ID:
        10125087 http://tinyurl.com/yd3m7nd

    To view other popular last minute gifts, visit Futureshop.ca or visit your
local Future Shop store.

    * All statistics were gathered through a survey conducted by Leger
        Marketing on behalf of Future Shop.
        Prices as of December 8, 2009.
    

About Future Shop

With 144 stores across the country and the nation's premier web store (www.futureshop.ca), Burnaby, BC-based Future Shop is Canada's largest retailer and e-tailer of consumer electronics. The company employs more than 10,000 technology enthusiasts, has enabled its website, Futureshop.ca, to deliver unparalleled content about the products it sells. Futureshop.ca also hosts an online community forum and tech blog for technology beginners and tech-savvy experts to exchange ideas, reviews, tips and other consumer electronics information (www.futureshopforums.ca). As a proud corporate citizen, Future Shop has developed solutions to recycle used electronics and is committed to employee volunteerism and supporting non-profits organizations dedicated to transforming local youth into Future Leaders (see www.futureshop.ca/futuregeneration).

For further information: Media contacts: Elliott Chun, Future Shop, [email protected], [phone]; Stefanie Niewada, Optimum PR, [email protected], [phone]; In Quebec: Thierry Lopez, Future Shop, [email protected], [phone]