Births and marriages are the major reasons for gifting, but both are in slight decline. However, there is an increasing number of people moving home leading to home focused gifting, there is also an increase in educational achievement, which is a cause for gift giving.

The take up of internet technology offers another route to retailer’s giftware ranges. Usage of the internet to buy gifts and get information about gifts is growing among those with access to the technology but women, the more important gender for giftware buying, are underrepresented among the internet user population.


Table of contents:

Introduction and Abbreviations  Research methodology Lifestage and Special Groups ACORN Abbreviations Premier Insight  Executive Summary Factors affecting gift purchasing Birthday giving Attitudes towards purchasing gifts Attitudes towards receiving gifts Giving and receiving typologies Where people shop for gifts The gift shopping experience in future Market Factors Affecting Gift Purchasing Key findings and implications: Market valueFigure 1: Estimated market value of the gift market, breakdown by product category, 2004 Economic factors Rising affluence a positive factor for giftingFigure 2: PDI and consumer expenditure, at current and constant 1998 prices, 1998-2009 Changing socio-economic structure contributes to greater aspirationsFigure 3: UK adult population, by socio-economic group, 1998, 2004 and 2009 Demographic factors Population growth positive but changing structure less so Figure 4: Trends and projections in UK population, by age group, 1998-2009Figure 5: UK adult population, by lifestage group, 1998-2009 Social factors Births and marriages are major reasons for gifting but both are in decline Figure 6: Births, marriages and divorces, 1998-2009 House and home focused giftingFigure 7: Home ownership and house moves, 1998-2009 Educational achievement a cause for celebrationFigure 8: Students in further and higher education, 1991-2003 Growth of Internet usageFigure 9: Technology usage, November 2002, October 2003, July and October 2004 and January 2005 Relative Importance of Gifting Occasions Key findings and implications: Christmas and birthdays the most widely purchased for occasionsFigure 10: Gift purchasing, by occasion, April 2005 Figure 11: Purchasing of greetings cards, by occasion, 2003 and 2005Figure 12: Purchasing of gifts and greetings cards, by occasion, 2005 ChristmasFigure 13: Christmas gift buying, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April 2005 Birthdays including Special birthdaysFigure 14: Birthday gift buying, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April 2005 EasterFigure 15: Easter gift buying, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April 2005 Mother’s Day/Father’s DayFigure 16: Mother’s and Father’s Day gift buying, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April 2005 Anniversary/Valentine’s day/romantic occasionsFigure 17: Romantic gift buying, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April 2005 Weddings/engagementFigure 18: Marriage related gift buying, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April 2005 New baby/ChristeningFigure 19: New birth related gift buying, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April 2005 New home/when entertained for dinnerFigure 20: Home centric gift buying, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April 2005 ‘Thank you’ and other gift buying occasionsFigure 21: Other gift buying occasions, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April 2005 Gifting buying repertoires Figure 22: Number of gift occasions presents bought for by occasion, April 2005 Birthday Giving Key findings and implications: Number of people birthday gifts bought forFigure 23: Number of birthdays presents bought for, April 2005 Figure 24: Average number of birthdays presents bought for, April 2005 Who buys for most birthdaysFigure 25: Number of people birthday presents bought for, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April 2005 Relationship between giver and receiverFigure 26: Relationship to those purchasing birthday presents in last 12 months, April 2005 Figure 27: Relationship to those purchasing birthday presents in the last 12 months, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April 2005 Figure 28: Relationship to those purchasing birthday presents in the last 12 months, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April 2005 Items given as birthday presentsFigure 29: Items given as birthday presents in the last 12 months, April 2005 Figure 30: Most popular items given as birthday presents in the last 12 months, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April 2005 Figure 31: Other popular items given as birthday presents in the last 12 months, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April 2005 Figure 32: Other items given as birthday presents in the last 12 months, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April 2005 Type of birthday by type of gift purchasedFigure 33: Type of birthday by type of gift purchased, April 2005 Person being bought for by types of product purchased Attitudes Towards Purchasing Gifts Key findings and implications: Figure 34: Attitudes to gift buying, April 2005 Selection decisions Figure 35: Selection decisions when gift buying, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April 2005 Shopping behaviourFigure 36: Shopping behaviour when gift buying, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April 2005 OnlineFigure 37: Online shopping and gift buying, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April 2005 OccasionsFigure 38: Attitudes to occasions and self-gifting, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April 2005 Attitudes Towards Receiving Gifts Key findings and implications: Surprise, surprise Figure 39: Attitudes to receiving gifts, April 2005 Figure 40: Most popular attitudes to receiving gifts, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April 2005 Figure 41: Other attitudes to receiving gifts, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April 2005 Giving and Receiving Typologies Key findings and implications: Cluster group details Group 1: “Surprise-me!” Group 2: “No-nonsense” Group 3: “Not again…” Group 4: “Oohhh presents!!” Group 5: “D’oh!”Figure 42: Gifting giving and receiving typologies, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April 2005 Number of gift buying occasions bought for by cluster groupsFigure 43: Gifting giving and receiving typologies, by number of occasions bought for, April 2005 Number of birthdays bought for by cluster groupsFigure 44: Gifting giving and receiving typologies, by number of birthdays bought for, April 2005 Where People Shop For Gifts Key findings and implications: Multi-category stores the most popular choice for gift purchasing Figure 45: Sources of gift purchasing, April 2005 Figure 46: Most popular sources of gift purchasing, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April 2005Figure 47: Other popular sources of gift purchasing, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April 2005 Figure 48: Other sources of gift purchasing, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April 2005 Gift shopping repertoiresFigure 49: Number of different types of stores used for gift buying, by type of store used, April 2005 Improving the Gift Shopping Experience Key findings and implications: It’s a wrap Figure 50: Service and range improvements make gift shopping easier for shoppers, April 2005 Figure 51: Most popular service and range improvements to make gift shopping easier, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April 2005Figure 52: Other service and range improvements to make gift shopping easier, by gender, age and socio-economic group, April 2005 Cross-tabulation of stores used by improvements sought Issues for the Future Affluence a key factor Special occasions the stimulus to purchase Future potential of fixed date special occasions Valentine’s Day Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Easter Halloween Future potential of events special to consumers Making men more gift minded Products versus experiences Delivering inspiring gifts Customer services create differentiation Consumer communication Store wars - multi-category retailers versus specialists Store wars - superstores versus non-food retailers Format development opportunities Online issues Scenario-based Forecast  Scenario 1: StaticFigure 53: Giftware typology - scenario 1, forecast, 2005-10 Last-minute buyers on the increase… …But unconcerned consumers are still the largest consumer group Scenario 2: Positive Figure 54: Giftware typology - scenario 2, 2005-10 Individualisation and customisation… … But does this mean more sales?Figure 55: Index growth of target groups, 2005-10 Detailed Consumer Demographics Figure 56: British Internet penetration, 2001-05 Figure 57: British Internet usage profile, January 2005 Figure 58: Christmas gift buying, by lifestage, presence of children and Mintel's Special Groups, April 2005 Figure 59: Christmas gift buying, by region and media consumption, April 2005 Figure 60: Birthday gift buying, by lifestage, presence of children and Mintel's Special Groups, April 2005 Figure 61: Birthday gift buying, by region and media consumption, April 2005 Figure 62: Easter gift buying, by lifestage, presence of children and Mintel's Special Groups, April 2005 Figure 63: Easter gift buying, by region and media consumption, April 2005 Figure 64: Mother’s and Father’s Day gift buying, by lifestage, presence of children and Special Groups, April 2005 Figure 65: Mother’s and Father’s Day gift buying, by region and media consumption, April 2005 Figure 66: Romantic gift buying, by lifestage, presence of children and Mintel's Special Groups, April 2005 Figure 67: Romantic gift buying, by region and media consumption, April 2005 Figure 68: Marriage related gift buying, by lifestage, presence of children and Mintel's Special Groups, April 2005 Figure 69: Marriage related gift buying, by region and media consumption, April 2005 Figure 70: New birth related gift buying, by lifestage, presence of children and Mintel's Special Groups, April 2005 Figure 71: New birth related gift buying, by region and media consumption, April 2005 Figure 72: Home centric gift buying, by lifestage, presence of children and Mintel's Special Groups, April 2005 Figure 73: Home centric gift buying, by region and media consumption, April 2005 Figure 74: Other gift buying occasions, by lifestage, presence of children and Mintel's Special Groups, April 2005 Figure 75: Other gift buying occasions, by region and media consumption, April 2005 Figure 76: Average number of birthdays presents bought for, by lifestage, presence of children and Mintel's Special Groups, April 2005 Figure 77: Number of people Birthday presents bought for, by lifestage, presence of children and special groups, April 2005 Figure 78: Number of people birthday presents bought for, by region and media consumption, April 2005 Figure 79: Relationship to those purchasing birthday presents in last 12 months, by lifestage, presence of children and Mintel's Special Groups, April 2005 Figure 80: Relationship to those purchasing birthday presents in last 12 months, by region and media consumption, April 2005 Figure 81: Relationship to those purchasing birthday presents in last 12 months, by lifestage, presence of children and Mintel's Special Groups, April 2005 Figure 82: Relationship to those purchasing birthday presents in last 12 months, by region and media consumption, April 2005 Figure 83: Most popular items given as birthday presents in last 12 months, by lifestage, presence of children and Mintel's Special Groups, April 2005 Figure 84: Most popular items given as birthday presents in last 12 months, by region and media consumption, April 2005 Figure 85: Most popular items given as birthday presents in last 12 months, by supermarket used for grocery shopping, April 2005 Figure 86: Other popular items given as birthday presents in last 12 months, by lifestage, presence of children and Mintel's Special Groups, April 2005 Figure 87: Other popular items given as birthday presents in last 12 months, by region and media consumption, April 2005 Figure 88: Other popular items given as birthday presents in last 12 months, by supermarket used for grocery shopping, April 2005 Figure 89: Other items given as birthday presents in last 12 months, by lifestage, presence of children and Mintel's Special Groups, April 2005 Figure 90: Other items given as birthday presents in last 12 months, by region and media consumption, April 2005 Figure 91: Other items given as birthday presents in last 12 months, by supermarket used for grocery shopping, April 2005 Figure 92: Type of birthday by type of gift purchased, April 2005 Figure 93: Type of birthday by type of gift purchased, April 2005 Figure 94: Type of birthday by type of gift purchased, April 2005 Figure 95: Selection decisions when gift buying, by lifestage, presence of children and Mintel's Special Groups, April 2005 Figure 96: Selection decisions when gift buying, by region and media consumption, April 2005 Figure 97: Selection decisions when gift buying, by supermarket used for grocery shopping, April 2005 Figure 98: Shopping behaviour when gift buying, by lifestage, presence of children and Mintel's Special Groups, April 2005 Figure 99: Shopping behaviour when gift buying, by region and media consumption, April 2005 Figure 100: Shopping behaviour when gift buying, by supermarket used for grocery shopping, April 2005 Figure 101: Online shopping and gift buying, by lifestage, presence of children and Mintel’s Special Groups, April 2005 Figure 102: Online shopping and gift buying, by region and media consumption, April 2005 Figure 103: Online shopping and gift buying, by supermarket used for grocery shopping, April 2005 Figure 104: Attitudes to occasions and self-gifting, by lifestage, presence of children and Mintel’s Special Groups, April 2005 Figure 105: Attitudes to occasions and self-gifting, by region and media consumption, April 2005 Figure 106: Attitudes to occasions and self gifting, by supermarket used for grocery shopping, April 2005 Figure 107: Most popular attitudes to receiving gifts, by lifestage, presence of children and Mintel's Special Groups, April 2005 Figure 108: Most popular attitudes to receiving gifts, by region and media consumption, April 2005 Figure 109: Other attitudes to receiving gifts, by lifestage, presence of children and Mintel's Special Groups, April 2005 Figure 110: Other attitudes to receiving gifts, by region and media consumption, April 2005 Figure 111: Gifting giving and receiving typologies, by presence of children and Mintel's Special Groups, April 2005 Figure 112: Gifting giving and receiving typologies, by region and media consumption, April 2005 Figure 113: Most popular sources of gift purchasing, by lifestage, presence of children and Mintel's Special Groups, April 2005 Figure 114: Most popular sources of gift purchasing, by region and media consumption, April 2005 Figure 115: Most popular sources of gift purchase, by supermarket used for grocery shopping, April 2005 Figure 116: Other popular sources of gift purchasing, by lifestage, presence of children and Mintel's Special Groups, April 2005 Figure 117: Other popular sources of gift purchasing, by region and media consumption, April 2005 Figure 118: Other popular sources of gift purchase, by supermarket used for grocery shopping, April 2005 Figure 119: Other sources of gift purchasing, by lifestage, presence of children and Mintel's Special Groups, April 2005 Figure 120: Other sources of gift purchasing, by region and media consumption, April 2005 Figure 121: Other sources of gift purchasing, by supermarket used for grocery shopping, April 2005 Figure 122: Most popular service and range improvements to make gift shopping easier, by lifestage, presence of children and Mintel's Special Groups, April 2005 Figure 123: Most popular service and range improvements to make gift shopping easier, by region and media consumption, April 2005 Figure 124: Other service and range improvements to make gift shopping easier, by lifestage, presence of children and Mintel's Special Groups, April 2005 Figure 125: Other service and range improvements to make gift shopping easier, by region and media consumption, April 2005 Figure 126: Types of store used for buying gifts, by improvement sought, April 2005 Cluster DemographicsFigure 127: Typologies, by demographic sub group, April 2005