QUoted: University of Wisconsin Professor Tom O’Guinn said that he thinks the e-mail could cause problems this shopping season.
“I think it’s very plausible that people think, ‘Gee, I shouldn’t buy a gift card because maybe the store won’t be around to honor it or they may just stop honoring it,'” said O’Guinn, who’s executive director of the UW Center for Brand and Product Management. “It’s not true, but there’s the old saying perception is reality, so if I was a retailer, I’d be concerned.”