According to the NY Times (registration required), Consumer Reports finds that 19% of gift cards go unused by recipients. That adds up to nearly $5 billion that gift card purchasers will "gift" to national retail merchandisers instead of to their friends and family members this holiday season. The Times reports that last year alone, Best Buy earned $43 million in profit just from unused gift cards; Limited Brands $30 million.

Caveat Emptor.

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