Gadgets, appliances rule the roost in corporate gifting arena
Charu Chhibber
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, October 28
The arena of corporate gifting this year is brimming with changes. And why not? Be it pleasing high-end clients, enticing more customers or delighting valuable human resource, corporates are ready to walk the extra mile to send out the ‘special’ feeling to those who matter. After all, happiness and joy is what the festival of Diwali is all about.
While mass-gifting items like diaries, pens and other desk-top stationery are certainly a passé; gadgets, small appliances, designer silverware, especially idols of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi, crystalware, glassware, hand-crafted wooden items and the evergreen oil-on-canvas paintings are in this season in the world of corporate gifting. And when it comes to employees, many even prefer to gift cash, coupons or prepaid cards.
“Gifting in the corporate world is based on various criteria, including position, seniority, comfort quotient and budget,” opines Ritu Bhalla, a city-based HR professional. She adds that these days, the best gifts in the corporate category for employees were power bank, speaker mobile stand, Bluetooth speaker and Bluetooth headphones. “These are highly functional utility items that everyone needs today,” she says. As for the seniors in the company or top-end clients, Ritu Bhalla adds that kitchen appliances like airfryer, toaster, induction cooktop, coffee machine and the likes are the top-sellers.
But are the traditional gold and silver already out? To a large extent, say jewellers.
Mukesh Kumar, a jeweller in Sector 19, says, “Amid the price rise, the traditional Diwali gift - gold coins – seems to have lost, especially in the corporate world! Silver coins, however, are still in demand but not a popular gifting option among the corporate anymore because of lack of functionality. People these days look for functional durables.”
S Singla, a trader in Sector 7 here, says traditional Diwali corporate gifts like packaged sweets, chocolates, dry fruits or assorted food item combos, candle packs, fairy lights, assorted styles of lamps continue to find favour with medium and small-scale firms.
Mukesh Thakur, who runs a printing business in Zirakpur, discloses that many corporate also like to add a personal touch to Diwali gifts by adding the company logo. “Preferred items include writing instruments, portfolio bags and folders, time-pieces, and reading lamps,” he says.
R Malhotra, a trader dealing in gift items in Sector 7, Panchkula, adds: “The festive gifting trend has picked up significantly this year as compared to the last year when the market conditions were not very favourable, economic growth was sluggish and there was a disconcerting price rise. We are expecting a good sale this year – at least 40-50 per cent higher than the last year.”
Diaries, pens written off
Mass-gifting items like diaries, pens and other desk-top stationery are a passé while gadgets, small appliances, designer silverware, especially idols of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi, crystalware, glassware, hand-crafted wooden items and the evergreen oil-on-canvas paintings are in this season
