Survey Shows Families are Celebrating from Afar with Decrease in
Holiday Travel, Increase in Card-Sending; Company Offers Solutions for
the Season
Shutterfly, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFLY), the leading Internet-based social
expression and personal publishing service, today announced results from
a recent nationwide survey on holiday travel and spending, as well as
ideas for today’s time-strapped and dollar-conscious consumers to
simplify the holidays.
The Shutterfly-sponsored survey, conducted by Omnitel beginning October
31, 2008, revealed that more people will stay at home vs. travel for the
holidays this year. The survey showed a five percent decrease in the
total number of people who will travel as compared to holiday 2007, and
69 percent of respondents do not plan to travel this holiday season.
“Because consumers are forgoing travel and spending less, it’s more
important than ever to find alternate ways to stay connected this
holiday season,” said Kathryn Olson, chief marketing officer of
Shutterfly. “Whether through our free Share Sites, or by sending a
meaningful holiday card, Shutterfly offers thoughtful, simple solutions
to indulge friends and family with unforgettable memories that don’t
cost a lot.”
Newlywed Katie Fitzpatrick plans to connect online this holiday season.
“We started a Shutterfly Share Site when we got married in October, and
it has become a great way to keep friends and family updated. We’ll
spend the holidays away from most of our family this year, but plan to
use our site to post photos and blog about our first holiday as a
married couple.”
Shutterfly’s Share Sites allow friends and family to post photos and
Photo Books, type comments and news, add to a community calendar and
much more under one personalized domain name. This free service gives
family members a central place to collaborate on photo gifts, exchange
cookie recipes and post a gift list for Santa.
Greeting Cards remain the simplest way to send good wishes from afar,
and although people may be cutting costs this holiday season,
card-sending is on the rise. Shutterfly’s Omnitel survey revealed that
77 percent of respondents will send holiday cards this season as
compared to 67 percent last year. Shutterfly is the place for stylish
greetings that elicit smiles, and the Company offers hundreds of new
card styles this year to suit every taste. Shutterfly’s new Address
Labels and direct-mail feature for Greeting Cards are additional options
for saving time during the hectic season.
Other inexpensive, yet lasting, gift ideas for keeping in touch are
Shutterfly’s quick and easy single-image Photo Gifts. Grandparents will
enjoy seeing their grandchildren’s pictures adorning the tree with
Shutterfly’s Pewter Ornament ($29.99) or on their key chains with
Shutterfly’s Pewter Key Ring ($19.99); both gifts are lasting keepsakes
for years to come. Old friends will smile when they are reminded of good
times together with Shutterfly’s new photo-personalized Notebooks,
Notepads or Stickers ($5.99 - $12.99). Or remind loved ones of you and
yours at the start of each month with a Shutterfly Calendar ($19.99)
featuring your photos and customized dates.
Consumers can find holiday deals for a variety of Shutterfly products at www.shutterfly.com/sale.
For more information on Shutterfly’s Holiday Cards and Photo Gifts,
visit www.shutterfly.com/holiday.
About Shutterfly
Founded in 1999, Shutterfly, Inc. is the leading Internet-based social
expression and personal publishing service. Shutterfly provides high
quality products and world class services that make it easy, convenient
and fun for consumers to preserve their digital photos in a creative and
thoughtful manner. Shutterfly's flagship product is its award-winning
Photo Book line, which helps consumers celebrate memories and tell their
stories in professionally bound coffee table books. More information
about Shutterfly (NASDAQ:SFLY) is available at www.shutterfly.com.
Shutterfly and Shutterfly.com are trademarks of Shutterfly, Inc.
Shutterfly, Inc.
Gretchen Sloan, 650-610-5276
gsloan@shutterfly.com
