WU Western Union Company

Some retail industry experts predict holiday sales in anticipation of Black Friday will increase this year, and consumers want the most bang for their buck.

But how many hoops are consumers willing to jump through to get a good deal? When asked if they would rather receive $50 in cash or a gift worth $50, 83 percent said cash according to Western Union.

"In a recent survey, we actually found nearly three-quarters of people across the globe simply want to make their loved one's day better over the holidays -- and cash remains the perfect gift for doing this," said Victoria Lopez-Negrete, Senior Vice President and General Manager for North America at Western Union. "While everyone else is up before dawn waiting for stores to open or spending sleepless nights comparing gifts online, why not skip the insanity altogether and give your loved ones what they really want?"

Simplify holiday gift-giving with the gift of cash through Western Union in person, online at www.westernunion.com or over the phone at 1-800-CALL-CASH.

About Western Union The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global payment services. Together with its Vigo, Orlandi Valuta, Pago Facil and Western Union Business Solutions branded payment services, Western Union provides consumers and businesses with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, to send payments and to purchase money orders. The Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services are offered through a combined network of approximately 485,000 Agent locations in 200 countries and territories. In 2010, The Western Union Company completed 214 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $76 billion of principal between consumers, and 405 million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.

Audio-Link Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=1807680

Add to Digg Bookmark with del.icio.us Add to Newsvine

Contacts: Media Contacts: Dan Diaz Western Union + 1 (303) 547-2347 Email Contact L'Teisha Ryan Western Union +1 (303) 478-9029 Email Contact