RedPlum(TM) Releases Second-annual Coupon and Savings Survey in Conjunction With National Coupon Month

LIVONIA, Mich., Sept 10, 2009 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- VCI | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- RedPlum, a leading provider of deals and savings on brands consumers want most, announced today the results of its second-annual coupon and savings survey conducted on its value and lifestyle Web site, www.redplum.com. This year's survey had almost four times the participation of last year, a likely indication of the increased interest in deals and saving money. The findings reveal insight into how today's consumers are saving, in what categories they are seeking their greatest savings and how much time they are devoting to deal-seeking.

According to the survey of more than 19,300 consumers across the country, 93% of the respondents think it is more important to find ways to save money today than it was last year, up 5% from the same period in 2008. This sentiment exists across all income levels, whether consumers make $20,000, $50,000 or $100,000. The survey revealed key drivers to find deals and ways to save. Taking first place, 84% cited saving as "the intelligent thing to do;" a signal of the shift in shopper mindset toward value. This was followed by 76% citing rising food costs as a practical reason to seek coupons and 73% liking to find deals or treasures, which aligns with the company's research indicating consumers enjoy scoring a great deal. The poll also shows that 98% are most interested in coupons and deals for groceries, up 10% from last September.

"Our survey quantifies the importance of deals, coupons and savings," said Lisa Reynolds, Valassis Vice President of Consumer Engagement. "In today's uncertain economy, it's no surprise that saving is more important than before, but the significant finding is that the numbers are pointing even higher this year. As some analysts report signs of an economic upturn, the value-seeking consumer mindset will likely remain and their spending habits may change permanently."

By spending as little as 20 minutes per week, the average consumer can save $1,000 per year by taking advantage of the coupon and special offers they receive. Forty-three percent of survey respondents save $21 or more per week using coupons. When planning shopping lists, 78% of respondents are likely to match it to both their grocery circulars and coupons, further maximizing their savings. RedPlum's media portfolio delivers value-oriented promotions on a weekly basis to over 100 million people in the mail, newspaper, in-store and online. On redplum.com, consumers can quickly find coupons, offers and tips - ranging from grocery to kids, home to healthy living, and dining to entertainment - in their local area.

Notable Savings Numbers:

    --  47% spend more than 30% of their time looking for coupons online versus
        27% of respondents last year
    --  46% spent up to one hour per week looking for coupons in 2008, compared
        to 26% in 2009
    --  18% save $21-30 weekly by using coupons; 25% save more than $30
    --  98% use coupons for groceries; followed by 75% for restaurants/dining
        out and 60% for clothing
    --  52% visit their favorite savings or deals Web site weekly
    --  80% are redeeming more printable/online coupons than last year
    --  67% share/swap coupons and hot deals with family and friends

    --  94% said a coupon is "somewhat likely" or "likely"
        to influence them to switch brands/retailers

Source: RedPlum 2009 Online Survey

Editor's Note: September is National Coupon Month. This September marks the 12th year that the Promotion Marketing Association has celebrated National Coupon Month.

About RedPlum

RedPlum brings consumers relevant offers and good deals on the brands they want most to best stretch their budgets. We deliver deals on a weekly basis to over 100 million shoppers in the mailbox, in the newspaper, in-store and online. At redplum.com, you will find one of the largest collections of printable coupons, coupon codes and savings tips along with the best deals and the sweetest coupons plus trends, tips and inside information on what to wear, buy and do right now. RedPlum is the consumer brand of Valassis, a Michigan-based company that has been delivering savings and value for nearly 40 years. Building upon our wish to help American families, we empower the public to take part in the effort to help safely recover missing children through our America's Looking For Its Missing Children(R) program, which appears on our RedPlum products. For more information, visit http://www.redplum.com. To learn about advertising opportunities with RedPlum, please call 1-800-437-0479.

Safe Harbor and Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements found in this document constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following: price competition from our existing competitors; new competitors in any of our businesses; a shift in client preference for different promotional materials, strategies or coupon delivery methods, including, without limitation, as a result of declines in newspaper circulation; an unforeseen increase in paper or postal costs; changes which affect the businesses of our clients and lead to reduced sales promotion spending, including, without limitation, a decrease of marketing budgets which are generally discretionary in nature and easier to reduce in the short-term than other expenses; our substantial indebtedness, and ability to refinance such indebtedness, if necessary, and our ability to incur additional indebtedness, may affect our financial health; the financial condition, including bankruptcies, of our clients, suppliers, senior secured credit facility lenders or other counterparties; our ability to comply with or obtain modifications or waivers of the financial covenants contained in our debt documents; certain covenants in our debt documents could adversely restrict our financial and operating flexibility; recent disruptions in the credit markets that make it difficult for companies to secure financing; fluctuations in the amount, timing, pages, weight and kinds of advertising pieces from period to period, due to a change in our clients' promotional needs, inventories and other factors; our failure to attract and retain qualified personnel may affect our business and results of operations; a rise in interest rates could increase our borrowing costs; we may be required to recognize additional impairment charges against goodwill and intangible assets in the future; the outcome of ADVO's pending shareholder lawsuits; our current litigation with News America Incorporated has been and may continue to be costly and may divert management's attention; possible governmental regulation or litigation affecting aspects of our business; the credit and liquidity crisis in the financial markets could continue to affect our results of operations and financial condition; reductions of our credit rating may have an adverse impact on our business; counterparties to our secured credit facility and interest rate swaps may not be able to fulfill their obligations due to disruptions in the global credit markets; uncertainty in the application and interpretation of applicable state sales tax laws may expose us to additional sales tax liability; and general economic conditions, whether nationally, internationally, or in the market areas in which we conduct our business, including the adverse impact of the ongoing economic downturn on the marketing expenditures and activities of our clients and prospective clients as well as our vendors, with whom we rely on to provide us with quality materials at the right prices and in a timely manner. These and other risks and uncertainties related to our business are described in greater detail in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including our reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q and the foregoing information should be read in conjunction with these filings. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Valassis; RedPlum

http://www.redplum.com

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