Giving more at the register

Forget the change jar at the counter. When you are asked to donate at the checkout, you are also given the option to add it directly to your tab. A new survey investigated how people felt about the growing trend of giving at the checkout. It found 55 percent like being asked to give; that it is easy and affordable.

“They feel good about the charity they have given to at the register and about the retailer that has asked them to give. they give because they have recognized that charity,” said Brittany Hill with The Good Scout Group

But 45 percent of people reported they dislike being asked to donate at the register. Some still give, mostly because shoppers feel a bit sheepish about not doing it.

“A small percentage, but still some, do say that they feel guilty or they feel peer pressured um, to give, so in other words, if they didn’t give, they feel guilty about it,” said Hill.

Though shoppers have varying opinions, checkout counter campaigns are ringing up big bucks. This study found dozens of different retailers nationwide collected 388 million dollars in just one year. Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club raised millions since starting its donation drive to help local hospitals and the retail giant says, “Hey, shoppers, there’s no pressure at the register…”

“If they don’t want to give the donations are completely voluntary hopefully they never feel pressure but hopefully they want to give to the communities they’re in,” explained Kevin Perry with Wal-Mart.

JC Penny raised $5 million last year to help kids outside of the classroom by asking customers to “round up” their bill to the nearest dollar.

“Our typical round up donation is about 44 cents, but you know that number seems small but it actually adds up in the long run,” said Jamal Thomas of JCPenny.

The survey found 71 percent of people have donated at the register and if you don’t want to be one of them, experts say, just politely decline.