Utility gift certificates shine amid sagging economy
With the economy mired in a funk, many retailers saw steep declines in holiday sales. An exception? Utilities. They saw gains in sales of gift certificates that allow consumers to pay their friends’ or family’s natural gas or electric bills, according to this story by the Associated Press.
St. Louis-based Ameren Corp. is no different. The company said sales of its gift certificates — which are available in denominations from $10 to $100 — rose 8 percent, topping $100,000 last year. And the bulk of sales were in December.
Company spokeswoman Susan Gallagher said the company’s utilities in Missouri and Illinois sold 1,652 certificates last year for $105,340. That compares with 1,540 certificates worth $97,310 in 2007.
Ameren doesn’t promote the certificates except for a news release issued every December and some marketing via bill inserts, Gallagher said.
