The digital revolution has forever changed the face of many industries, and the gifting sector is no exception. As online behaviors, preferences, and trends reshape the marketplace, understanding the intricacies of this evolution becomes paramount.
The foundation of this page is built on rigorous research. We have left no digital stone unturned, leveraging data from a diverse range of sources including e-commerce platforms, consumer surveys, industry-specific reports, and broader internet trends. The sheer magnitude of data available online is immense, and our dedicated team delves deep, sifting through vast amounts of information to extract only the most relevant and impactful insights for our audience.
What you will find here is not just a collection of numbers, but a holistic narrative of the gifting market in the digital age. Our commitment extends beyond presenting mere statistics; we aim to provide context, analysis, and a clear understanding of the trends shaping this industry.
Key Takeaways About Gifting Market in 2024
The gift-gifting market in 2023 has witnessed several notable trends and developments. Firstly, the market has seen a significant surge in online shopping for gifts, driven by the convenience and vast array of options available on e-commerce platforms. Consumers are increasingly turning to online retailers to find unique and personalized gifts, with a particular emphasis on sustainability and ethical production. E-commerce platforms are also leveraging advanced technologies like AI and machine learning to offer personalized shopping experiences, recommending gifts based on the recipient’s preferences and purchase history.
Secondly, there is a growing emphasis on sustainable and ethical gifting, reflecting a broader consumer shift towards environmentally friendly and socially responsible products. Shoppers are increasingly seeking out gifts that are not only unique and personal but also have minimal impact on the environment. This has led to a rise in popularity of eco-friendly gifts, such as those made from recycled or sustainable materials, as well as gifts that support social causes. Brands and retailers are responding to this demand by offering a wider range of sustainable gift options and highlighting the ethical credentials of their products.
Lastly, experiential gifts are gaining traction in the market as consumers seek more meaningful and memorable gift-giving experiences. Rather than physical items, experiential gifts, such as event tickets, travel vouchers, or activity bookings, offer the recipient an experience to remember. This trend is driven by a desire for more personal and thoughtful gifting, as well as a recognition of the value of creating memories over acquiring possessions. The experiential gift market is also being boosted by digital platforms that enable consumers to easily purchase and send experiences in a seamless and convenient manner.
Specific Gift Categories
- Food Gifts: The US food gift market is expected to reach $50 billion in 2026. This includes items like food baskets, food assortments, and souvenir food gifts. [1]
- Insight: The rising popularity of food gifts suggests that consumers are looking for unique and consumable presents. Businesses can capitalize on this trend by offering gourmet or artisanal food products.
- Floral Gifts: The US floral gift market is projected to reach $17 billion by 2027, up from $11.91 billion in 2021. [1]
- Insight: The growth in the floral gift market indicates a resurgence in traditional gifting. The convenience of home deliveries and the trend of self-gifting with flowers are driving this growth.
- Gift Wrapping: The global gift wrapping market is forecasted to be worth $24.9 billion in 2025, up from $15.11 billion in 2018. However, around 2.3 million pounds of wrapping paper end up in landfills annually due to non-recyclability. [1]
- Insight: While the gift wrapping market is growing, there’s a pressing need for sustainable solutions. Businesses can differentiate themselves by offering eco-friendly wrapping options.
Personalized Gifts
- The global personalized gift market is set to reach $43.3 billion in 2027, up from $25.8 billion in 2020. [1]
- Insight: Personalized gifts are gaining traction as consumers seek more meaningful and unique presents. Retailers should consider offering customization options to cater to this demand.
- 66% of people prefer heartfelt and personalized gifts over generic gifts worth $100. [1]
- Insight: The value of a gift isn’t just in its price tag. Retailers can focus on creating experiences or products that resonate emotionally with consumers.
Gift Card
- E-gift cards remain the most popular digital gift, accounting for 40% of all digital gift purchases. [6]
- 54% of U.S. consumers are likely to buy gift cards as holiday gifts [6]
- The global gift card market is projected to be worth a staggering $1.4 trillion in 2026. [1]
- In 2021, 80% of global respondents planned to give gift cards instead of physical gifts during the holiday season. [1]
- The National Retail Federation predicted a whopping $28.6 billion in gift card spending during the past holiday season. Interestingly, while 52% of participants planned to purchase a physical gift card, 29% intended to gift a digital gift card. This data underscores the importance for retailers to provide seamless and diverse gifting experiences. [3]
- With 95% of Gen Z consumers expressing a preference for receiving gift cards, there’s a significant opportunity for brands to innovate in this space. Personalized messaging, for instance, can enhance the gifting experience, making it more memorable for both the giver and the recipient. [3]
- The global Digital Gift Card Market was valued at approximately USD 310.1 Billion in 2022. It’s expected to reach around USD 1.2 Trillion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 12.5% between 2022 and 2032. Key players in this market include Amazon.com Inc., Apple Inc., Google LLC, Starbucks Corporation, and Walmart Inc., among others. [4]
Corporate Gifting
- The global Corporate Gifting market size is projected to reach a significant value by 2030. The market includes practical swag gifts, food, personalized clothing items, eGift cards, and experiences like airfare or concert tickets. [2]
- The global corporate gifting market has risen to $242 billion, up from $125 billion prior to COVID-19. It is projected to exceed $300 billion within the next two years. [7]
- The rise in remote work, with 16% of companies globally being fully remote as of 2022, has directly influenced the increase in corporate gifting spending. [8]
- The snack industry, particularly gift baskets, has seen a rise in popularity. Consumer and corporate food gift sales reached $33 billion in 2021. Additionally, 46% of respondents reported gifting food-based gift baskets. [7]
- Most companies spent between $25 and $125 per corporate gift, with the largest subset spending between $75 and $100. [8]
- Sustainable corporate gifting is on the rise. This involves selecting products that use biodegradable ingredients, compostable or recycled packaging, or plant-based/up-cycled materials. Moreover, reusable products, as opposed to single-use items, are becoming more popular. [9]
Digital Shopping and Gifting
- Digital shopping has been thrust into the spotlight in recent years, with the 2022 holiday season witnessing a surge in online goods and gift card purchases. This trend is expected to persist, emphasizing the importance for retailers to upscale their digital footprints and innovate in their gifting offerings. [3]
Cash and Digital Platforms
- Gifting and receiving cash is growing in popularity, especially among younger consumers. Alongside traditional cash gifts, platforms like Venmo and Cash App are becoming popular mediums for gift-giving. Almost 70% of Gen Z respondents preferred giving and receiving monetary gifts during the holidays, with gift cards being the top choice. [3]
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) for Gifting
- BNPL is emerging as a popular payment method, especially during the gifting season. Its usage saw a 41% increase over the 2021 holiday season. This option is particularly appealing to younger consumers who might not have access to traditional credit solutions. Offering BNPL can help consumers manage their budgets while ensuring they can gift their loved ones. [3]