Corporate Gift Giving is At a 4-Year High in 2013
More Companies are Opening Up Their Wallets For Holiday Gifts This Season
Austin, Texas: According to a new study by the Advertising Specialty Institute® (ASI) in its annual corporate gift-giving survey showing spending on employees and clients is the highest it’s been in four years.
The study shows that companies giving gifts plan to spend an average of $44.98 for their employees and $33.92 for client gifts this holiday season, compared to $41.70 and $26.48, respectively, given last year. Data shows buyers are not expecting to give out as many items, but are spending more on the items they do give.
Gift cards (42.4%), cash bonuses (29.2%), food and beverages (27.5%) and apparel (11.2%) are the top gifts responding companies plan to give in 2013.
Robert Piller, President of Geek Tech branding says, “We have seen a 35% increase in tech-branded gifts this Holiday season–especially imprinted speakers, imprinted battery power backups and promotional headphones and earbuds.”
He continues, “ Just three years ago these items were either too expensive for Holiday gifts or were not on the Christmas Shopping list. Companies of all types are offering tech gifts–including Fortune 500 companies, start-ups and hardware and software service providers, of course. However, what is most surprising is the number of non-tech companies offering tech gifts this winter–including real estate companies, financial service firms and retailers.”
“Thanking employees for a job well done or expressing appreciation to loyal clients with a thoughtful gift is a smart business decision even the smallest company can make,” said Timothy M. Andrews, ASI president and chief executive officer. “The fact that companies are giving more this year speaks directly to the improved economy, but corporate generosity can pay dividends all year long through repeat business or harder working employees.”
According to ASI’s 4th annual survey, nearly two-thirds of responding companies said they will include their company logo either on their gift or on its packaging, proving the continuing popularity of branding.
Most surveyed companies said they give gifts as a way of expressing appreciation (67.7%), developing relationships (59.3%) and generating goodwill toward their company (56.6%).
How are you expressing your “thanks” this Holiday season?
