PROVIDENCE -- She has survived extraordinary heat and hunger,
formed secret alliances and matched wits with a used-car salesman and
former soft-porn star.
Yet here she was, another stylish suburban mom out bargain-hunting with
her daughter on the day after Christmas.
"We got back really late Sunday night," said Helen Glover, of
Middletown, one of four finalists in Survivor: Thailand, the reality TV
show. "There aren't a lot of bargains in Beverly Hills."
The Glovers flew to Los Angeles last week to attend a gala celebrating
the conclusion of this year's Survivor series.
Yesterday, Glover, who dropped three dress sizes during her 36-day
ordeal, was enjoying blending into the crowd now that her brief moment
of fame was over.
"My kids all know that I love bargains," said Glover, who was having
coffee with her 18-year-old daughter, Kiki, in Providence Place. "I'm
spending more money this year because I know the check is in the mail."
The check is a $75,000 cash prize for making it to the final round of
Survivor.
Meanwhile, Kiki Glover was busy turning her gift certificates at Express
and The Gap into merchandise such as matching scarf-and-glove sets and
flared jeans.
"We have to tell Dad to do gift certificates next year," Helen Glover
said. "He bought me a coat -- a man's small. I guess he thought it
looked nice."
Gift certificates became an increasingly popular holiday option this
season, according to Britt Beemer, chairman of America's Research Group
in South Carolina.
"This will be the biggest all-time ever Christmas buying period for
[gift certificates] and/or cash," he said.
Last year, 43 percent of the consumers contacted by his agency said they
gave gift certificates or cash for Christmas; this year, Beemer expects
that figure will be three or four points higher. The average gift
certificate is between $32 and $35.
More chain stores sell their product through multiple channels (catalog,
the Internet), which gives certificates greater exposure. And more
retailers are actively promoting gift cards as an alternative to the
holiday madness.
In an era when shopping possibilities are infinite, it's easy to go
astray. How many times have you gotten a gift better suited to your
teenage daughter -- or your elderly aunt? Not to mention the sweater
that itched or the gadget that broke two weeks later.
"Gift certificates are much better than presents," said Amy Schick, 22,
of North Kingstown. "How many times can you put on that fake smile and
then be too embarrassed to ask for the receipt?"
The retailers at Providence Place mall have sold between 80,000 and
90,000 gift certificates so far this season. "We are seeing a
significant increase in sales this year," said John Charters, the mall's
general manager.
At Nordstrom, gift certificates come in a variety of colorful plastic
cards, whose designs mimic those found in the department store.
"We couldn't keep up with our little boxes" that hold the cards, said
Kathleen McPhee, a store supervisor.
Two 20-something sisters, Sarah and Melanie Chaves, were turning their
gift cards into gold -- as ankle boots and little blouses in paisley
prints.
Both women, who were visiting family in Newport, said they much prefer
gift cards because it's difficult for relatives to get their style, much
less their size, right.
Nowhere is that more true than Victoria's Secret, where men gingerly
hold up thongs as if they're an endangered species.
"We sold a lot more gift certificates this year than last," said a
Victoria's Secret saleswoman.
Armed with a dozen pastel-colored panties, Erica Butler, 21, of
Riverside, was not only redeeming her gift cards yesterday, she was
cashing in on the sales.
"All women like to shop," she said. "You've got this paper [certificate]
in your hand, so you have to buy something."
-- With reports from staff writer Lisa Biank Fasig.
