PRESS RELEASE

AXA Christmas Shopping Survey Shows "We're NOT #1"

New York, NY – American consumers are budgeting more for Christmas gifts this year than anyone else in the world – except the British.

Results from AXA Retirement Scope, a new global survey by AXA, a leader in financial protection and wealth management, say that the average employed U.K. shopper will spend the equivalent of $1,003 (approximately 778 euros) on Christmas gifts this year; the average American worker plans to spend $948.

Shoppers in the United Kingdom and U.S. topped AXA’s ranking by a significant margin.    Spanish respondents rounded out the top three, averaging approximately $617; the Japanese rank lowest among surveyed nations, averaging $101.

AXA’s survey, conducted in the United States by AC Nielsen, interviewed more than 800 American adults of all ages about perspectives ranging from holiday plans to financial and retirement planning.   Around the world, AXA conducted more than 9,200 interviews in 15 countries worldwide. 

Full results of AXA’s survey will be released in early 2005.