Consumers Saying Congratulations Not Goodbye To Class of 2009
Contact: Frank Cirillo or Meghan Olmstead, 216.252.4938
Cleveland, Ohio (May 2009) – Graduations have always been a time of mixed emotions for graduates. The ceremony brings an exciting new chapter in one’s life, but it also offers some hesitation as it means going in different directions from some family and friends. Today’s graduates however not only stay in touch with family and friends, they actually connect more often with everything from instant messenger and text messaging to Twitter accounts and personal blogs. Because of this, American Greetings Corp (NYSE: AM) trend experts have found that graduation celebrations today are more focused on the achievement, and not saying farewell, making the event much more fun for everyone.
More than 3.1 million college and more than 3.3 million high school students will graduate this year, meaning many shoppers will be looking for ways to honor their achievements. To do so, more than $4.1 billion will be spent, with the average shopper spending nearly $52 to say congratulations. With all of this celebrating, it comes as no surprise that cash remains king among graduation gifts, but gift cards have also remained popular as consumers look to help offset some of the costs of moving away, or moving on.
Along with cash and gift cards, the greeting card also remains a traditional favorite. According to the National Retail Federation, more than 35 percent of all shoppers will be giving at least one card this graduation season.
To meet the needs of consumers looking for a way to say job well done, American Greetings offers a wide array of gifts and a range of card sentiments, everything from funny to heartfelt.
For graduates looking to add their own touch to their celebrations, PhotoWorks.com has all new corresponding invitations, announcements and thank you cards. Students can also create lasting keepsakes with a customized photo book. The high-quality, hardcover books are a perfect way to capture all of the memories that were made.
Consumers can find the perfect gift, wrap, accessories and cards to celebrate any graduate this season at leading specialty, mass, grocery and drug store channels nationwide. Shoppers can also commemorate the ceremony and the memories online by taking advantage of the great offerings that can be found at AmericanGreetings.com and PhotoWorks.com. Visit www.corporate.americangreetings.com for more information and store locations.
About American Greetings Corporation
For more than 100 years, American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM) has been a manufacturer and retailer of innovative social expression products that assist consumers in enhancing their relationships. The Company's major greeting card brands are American Greetings, Carlton Cards, Gibson, Recycled Paper Greetings and Papyrus, and other paper product offerings include DesignWare party goods, American Greetings and Plus Mark gift-wrap and boxed cards and DateWorks calendars. American Greetings also has the largest collection of electronic greetings on the Web, including cards available at AmericanGreetings.com through AG Interactive, Inc. (the Company's online division). AG Interactive also offers digital photo sharing and personal publishing at PhotoWorks.com and Webshots.com and a one-stop source for online graphics and animations Kiwee.com. In addition to its product lines, American Greetings also creates and licenses popular character brands through the American Greetings Properties group. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, American Greetings generates annual revenue of approximately $1.7 billion, and its products can be found in retail outlets domestically and worldwide. For more information on the Company, visit http://corporate.americangreetings.com