As many companies are still postponing events and group travel due to the pandemic, gift-giving remains an important way in which companies thank, reward, and recognize their employees and customers.

According to the Incentive Research Foundation (IRF) non-cash gifts such as merchandise are increasingly important. For the third straight year, the average spend on merchandise per employee is $160. The most popular categories are:

What CEOs Believe*:

An overwhelming majority – 94% – of CEOs believe that business gifting is an important component in building customer relationships that lead to business success. So much so that they’re willing to spend their own personal time and allocating budget to building those relationships.

What Recipients Say:

• 77% say that business gifts make them feel appreciated
• 67% believe the gift demonstrates that the giver values the relationship
• 59% believe the giver thinks they did a good job
• 40% report increased loyalty and intention to work with that company longer
• 40% report feeling more connected to the business partner – and this increases to 50% when the gift is “memorable”

What is “memorable”? Three factors that most positively impact a recipient’s opinion of a business gift are:

• Belief that the gift was selected just for them
• A personal message with the gift
• The recipient’s name or initials on the gift

And yet, when asked about recent gifts they received:

• 65% say the gift was definitely not selected just for them
• 54% did not include a personal message
• 76% of the gifts did not include their name or initials

*Source: Business Gift Strategy Report

While many companies give gifts at the Holidays, there are many other times in which gifts can make a special impression:

• Employee or company anniversary or milestone
• Completion of a special project
• Employee or customer birthday
• Birth of a child

Business gifts can make an impression positively or negatively, so it’s important to have a thoughtful and professional business gifting strategy. All Star Incentive Marketing has years of experience in providing the perfect gifts for any audience – and draws on the experience of the recognized name brands that we represent. Contact us to discuss your gifting strategy today!