The popularity of corporate gifting among Irish SMEs is set to grow this festive season, with 86 per cent planning to purchase presents for clients, up 4 per cent year-on-year, according to new research by Musgrave MarketPlace, a wholesale supplier to retail, foodservice and SME businesses.
The study was carried out among 830 Irish SMEs as part of its ‘Christmas Made’ campaign which aims to make Christmas a hassle-free experience for SMEs with a range of gifting options available in-branch and online.
Almost all those surveyed (92 per cent) said they send gifts to strengthen relationships with their clients. When asked how much they intend to spend per client this Christmas, 1 in 3 stated €40 – €50, with 27 per cent choosing more expensive gifts to show their appreciation, spending €60 – €100.
Finding a gift that’s suitable is the most stressful part of the process for 42 per cent of respondents, up 5 per cent from 2016. Almost 1 in 5 consider organising the delivery of gifts a difficult task, while 17 per cent think it can be overly time-consuming. The high costs associated with purchasing gifts is a concern for 15 per cent of SMEs, while 7 per cent say finding somewhere to buy the right gifts is the most difficult part of the seasonal activity.
