Most Popular Retail Gift Cards in the U.S. in 2010 - Survey Results

In every way measurable, gift cards increased, improved and went up in 2010.

The average amount spent on gift cards, the percentage of people who purchased gift cards, and the number of people who said they preferred receiving a gift card all were predicted to increase in 2010 by the National Retail Federation (NRF). Retail restaurant gift cards increased at both quick service and casual dining restaurants too - more restaurant gift cards were bought, the average purchase was higher, and the percentage of gift cards that were reloaded all increased in 2010.

Gift cards are popular with U.S. consumers. But which gift cards were the most popular in 2010?

What follows is a list of the retail gift cards that consumers wanted to receive, spend and redeem the most in 2010, according to a survey by GiftCardRescue.com. This list is not necessarily the cards that were purchased or given the most, rather it is a list of the gift cards that were most popular with consumers who hoped to receive them.

Sixteen of the twenty most popular gift cards were retail gift cards, which makes sense since the majority of gift cards issued in the U.S. are from members of the retail industry. This list is arranged according to the popularity number assigned to each retailer, out of twenty of the most popular gift cards, according to the responses of 6,000 survey participants.

1. Walmart

>> Wal-Mart Gift Card Policies, Rules & Fees >>

2. Amazon.com

Amazon.com Gift Cards Sold and Distributed on Facebook >>

3. Target

>> Target Gift Card Policies, Rules & Fees >>

5. Home Depot

>> Home Depot Gift Card Policies, Rules & Fees >>

6. Lowe's

E-Gift Cards Sold Online at Lowe's >>

7. Costco

>> Costco Gift Card Policies, Rules & Fees >>

8. Best Buy

>> Best Buy Gift Card Policies, Rules & Fees >>

9. Starbucks

Discounts, and Freebies from Starbucks>>

10. Walgreens

>> Walgreens Gift Card Policies, Rules & Fees >>

11. CVS

Mobile Gift Cards Available to Send and Spend on Smartphones >>

13. Bed Bath & Beyond

Details About Bed, Bath & Beyond Gift Cards

14. McDonald's

Details About McDonald's Reloadable Arch Card Gift Card >>

16. Whole Foods

Whole Foods Allows Customers to Use Gift Cards on Mobile Phones >>

17. Shell

Details About Shell Retail Gift Cards >>

18. ExxonMobil

Details About ExxonMobil Retail Gift Cards >>

19. BP

Details about BP Retail Gift Cards

More About U.S. Retail Industry Gift Cards:

• E-gift Cards and E-gift Certificates
• Mobile Gift Cards
• Gift Cards Sold and Distributed by Facebook