Ahmedabad: Corporate gifting is moving towards premium brands and more practical products this year, as companies respond to rising brand consciousness among consumers.The shift is visible across gifting categories, with companies increasingly favouring established brands for both employees and clients. The overall ticket size of corporate gifts has also increased, reflecting a growing preference for premium products.“Premiumisation in corporate gifting, particularly client gifting, has been growing over the past couple of years. A simple box of Diwali sweets is no longer enough. Clients increasingly expect gifts from reliable sources, with assured quality and niche offerings,” said Akshay Kavra, general manager, ITC Narmada. “We are seeing around 20% year-on-year growth in this segment. Demand is particularly strong from financial services, banking, wealth management, pharmaceutical, IT, and real estate sectors.”The choice of gifts is also changing. Dry-fruit hampers, once a staple of corporate gifting, are giving way to products with greater everyday utility.“Luggage has emerged as a growing category, with companies opting for premium brands for both employee and client gifting. Air fryers have also gained traction as a corporate gifting option,” said Ankit Thakker, founder of PinOPen, a corporate gifting company.Industry estimates suggest that the corporate gifting market in Gujarat is about Rs 1,000 crore and is growing 15-20% year-on-year, driven by premiumisation.Companies are also paying more for premium packaging, with greater attention to presentation, aesthetics and the overall unboxing experience. The cost of packaging has risen alongside the preference for more elaborate and visually appealing gift arrangements.“Corporate gifting packaging has moved beyond conventional paper boxes. Companies are increasingly opting for premium options such as glass and MDF (medium-density fibreboard) boxes, including customised Meenakari boxes,” said Mehul Bhimani, founder of Aarohi PrintPack, a packaging material manufacturing firm. “Earlier, paper boxes cost around Rs 50-60 apiece. Premium boxes now cost between Rs 200 and Rs 1,000 and even higher depending on the extent of customisation and materials used.”The growing influence of visual platforms has raised expectations around how gifts look and are presented.“There is a growing preference for premium products as consumers become more brand-aware. Categories such as crystalware and branded hampers, including Nautica, are seeing demand,” said Kushal Shah, co-founder of GiftTouch, a corporate gifting firm.With brand preference, product utility and presentation shaping purchasing decisions, corporate gifting is increasingly becoming a premium-led market.
