The Hindu Business Line : ‘Clothes, sweets most popular gift choices’

Mumbai, Dec. 24 Clothes and sweets are the most popular gifts with Indians, according to a survey conducted by Nielsen India on its Your Voice online research panel.

The survey found that nearly eight in 10 Indians (77 per cent) selected clothes, sweets (including chocolates - 69 per cent) and books (49 per cent) as their preferred choices of gifts. However, differences emerge across different age groups in terms of items, budgets and shopping channels.

While sweets, clothes and books are universally popular; they tend to be more popular with the mature group aged 45 and above, while the younger crowd (15-24 years) prefers to give technology gadgets such as mobile phones and MP3 players.

“The way technology has entered our lives in the last 10 years has been amazing, and is deeply affecting young people in their 20s who have grown up with it,” said Mr N. S. Muthukumaran, Director, Online Panel, The Nielsen Company, India. “To many, it is cool to be seen with the latest model of phone or music system and giving one as a present is in the same league, albeit a costly option for these young folks.”

Gifting budget

A majority of Indian consumers believe their gifting budget has increased over the past two years and is likely to increase further over the next two years. People also spend more on gifts for immediate family members with an average spend of Rs 7,000. The average spend amongst the mature age group on gifting for their immediate family is even higher, around Rs 13,000. Extended family members and business partners are the next groups likely to receive gifts of higher value, with the average amount being around Rs 2,500 and Rs 3,000 respectively. The average spend on gifts for friends and colleagues is around Rs 2,000 and Rs 1,200 respectively.

While picking a gift for someone, it is important for many to personally choose the gift as well as make the gift unique.