ShopLocal Survey Indicates Cupid's Arrow Sometimes Aimed In Wrong Direction On Valentine's Day

Iguanas, Divorce Papers and 2 Pounds of Ground Beef Top the List of Worst Gifts Ever

Chicago- February 7, 2007 - When online comparison shopping Web site ShopLocal.com approached thousands of shoppers to ask a few burning questions about Valentine’s Day, the replies to the question of what their “worst Valentine’s Day gift was” netted some unusual responses. But it seems that among the misguided attempts to please their loved one, it was better to have gifted badly than not to have gifted at all.

According to 43 percent of the more than 3,000 respondents to the survey*, getting nothing is the worst gift. And that is in comparison to some rather unremarkable gifts, such as toasters and vacuum cleaners. Still others said they got outrageously inappropriate gifts, including divorce papers, a weight-loss book, ground beef and an iguana.

Despite such bad history, 83 percent said they planned to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year. The length of the relationship did not seem to matter for respondents with 47 percent saying that time was not a factor, just as long as the couple was “in like.”

Based on high Web search traffic on ShopLocal.com in the consumer electronics sector, many couples seem eager to think past edible candy, silk boxers with cartoon characters and talking stuffed animals.

“Rather than roses or bonbons, many of our shoppers indicated an interest in giving a digital camera or iPod this year,” said Eva Yusa, also known as Eva the Shopping Diva. “And women like video games too, so gaming consoles like the Nintendo Wii and the Xbox 360 are popular and can take a relationship to a whole new level.”

For the idealistic cupids, have no fear because only four percent said they broke up with someone right before Valentine’s Day just to avoid having to buy a gift.

“Whether this is the beginning of something special, or the prime of your relationship, don’t wait until the last minute for shopping,” said Eva, who recommends conducting product and price comparisons on Web sites like ShopLocal.com prior to heading out into the crowds. “Whatever the gift, being prepared will save you time and money.”

Eva the Shopping Diva offers these rules to live by when shopping this February:

1. Don’t Get Sexy Pajamas for Someone You Just Met. If this is your first Valentine’s Day together, or you are just getting to know each other, begin with a classic gift like fresh flowers that you know they may like or a homemade dinner for two.
   
2. Don’t get a Size Small When He/She Is Clearly a Large. Be mindful that clothing is lovely, yet often times a tricky gift to give. Do not limit yourself to size. If you are shopping for a fashionista, try a clutch or a shawl and for a fashionisto, try a travel bag or accessories pouch.
   
3. Don’t Get Anyone Over the Age of Eight a Teddy Bear. Gift stores love to push stuffed animals, so beware. Most adults don’t need or yearn for childish gifts. Give something that goes on the bed like a soft throw blanket or pillow. Either is perfect for snuggling.

For additional Valentine’s Day shopping tips and information, visit Eva the Shopping Diva at www.shoplocal.com/EvaTheShoppingDivaBlog.fp. To see a video clip of what Cupid is up to at ShopLocal, visit www.myspace.com/theworkingcupid.

About ShopLocal

ShopLocal offers consumers and retailers a comprehensive marketplace for multi-channel shopping and advertising. With ShopLocal.com (www.shoplocal.com) and The ShopLocal Network – made up of more than 200 affiliate media, search and shopping sites – consumers have access to the only source of information on millions of products from local stores side-by-side with online options. With ShopLocal’s SmartCircular, SmartCatalog, SmartMedia and MyStore services, retailers can distribute localized sales and promotional advertising, wherever their customers are on the Web.

ShopLocal is owned by Gannett Co, Inc, Tribune Company and The McClatchy Company who also invest in other joint ventures to provide consumers online products such as CareerBuilder.com, Cars.com and Apartments.com.

* ShopLocal distributed the survey electronically to ShopLocal.com’s email subscribers on Jan. 29, 2007. Results were gathered Jan. 29 though Feb. 4.