Triple-checking a holiday gift list is the best way to make sure
everyone is accounted for, right? Well, according to the “State of Small
Gifting Report,” a new holiday survey just released from Walgreens
(NYSE: WAG) (Nasdaq: WAG), nearly all service providers (94 percent) –
including teachers, daycare staff and nannies, health care providers,
home and repair professionals, personal service providers and pet
sitters – feel more appreciated when they are remembered during the
holidays. During a season when those surveyed agree that “it’s the
thought that counts,” many of the people who provide care and services
don’t always come to mind; less than half of the people they serve give
them a holiday gift.
As the season’s small gifting headquarters, the nation’s largest
drugstore chain asked 799 service providers – some of the most common
recipients of small gifts during the holidays – in October about what
gift giving means to them, common gifts they receive, and what they
actually most want.
“Survey results confirmed our long-held hunch: that being acknowledged,
even in a small way, during the holiday season really means a lot to
people,” said Moe Alkemade, head of seasonal merchandising for
Walgreens. “Even amid the holiday hustle and bustle, there are still
thoughtful, convenient ways to celebrate those in our lives who help us
manage each day. Walgreens prides itself on being a partner for
customers’ daily needs, and we extend that through the holidays with
gift options to satisfy individual tastes – from your child’s teacher to
Fido’s walker. We’re a one-stop destination for your small gifting
holiday needs.”
The State of Small Gifting
Surprisingly, many Americans aren’t making the grade when it comes to
remembering teachers and tutors. They’re the most commonly overlooked
during the holiday season, with almost 40 percent of those surveyed
receiving gifts from less than a quarter of their students. In contrast,
babysitters and nannies are the most likely group of ‘everyday helpers’
to receive a gift – more than 60 percent say those they work for give
them a gift during the holidays.
No matter who ends up on your holiday list though, there are common
gifts that make the wish lists of all surveyed, from those who look
after kids and lawns, to providing hair styling and health care. Gift
cards top most lists (66%), but the report also revealed that food
gifts, such as Whitman’s Chocolate Sampler (priced per store), Ghirardelli
Chocolate Sleigh Gift Set ($29.99), or Ferrero Rocher Chocolate
Gift Box (priced per store), are universally liked by respondents,
outranking most other gift ideas. Personal care sets, such as Burt’s
Bees Essentials Kit ($11.49), Aveeno Moisturizing Gift Set
($10.00) or Boots No7 Men Hydrating Shave Kit ($20.00), and
candles, like a Decorative Votive Candle Set ($9.99) are also
among favorite small gifts. The good news for gift givers is that giving
doesn’t have to break the bank. According to the “State of Small Gifting
Report,” only a small number of token gifts have a value of more than
$20; the majority cost about $10 or less.
For more small gift ideas, and inspiration about personalized photo
gifts, available this holiday season, visit www.Walgreens.com,
or follow Walgreens on Facebook.com/Walgreens and @Walgreens.
Media Press Kit is available here: http://walgreens.new-media-release.com/holiday/index.html
Methodological Summary
This survey was designed and conducted by KRC Research on behalf of
Walgreens. KRC Research conducted an online survey of 799 American
adults who have an occupation, side business, or hobby that involves
personal service and interaction and who receive small token gifts
around the holidays from those they serve. The survey was fielded Oct.
21-24, 2014.
About Walgreens
As the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2014 sales of $76
billion, Walgreens (www.walgreens.com)
vision is to be America’s most loved pharmacy-led health, wellbeing and
beauty enterprise. Each day, in communities across America, more than 8
million customers interact with Walgreens using the most convenient,
multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted,
cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice.
Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty,
infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with online and
mobile services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs
for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health
systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. The company
operates 8,229 drugstores with a presence in all 50 states, the District
of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Walgreens digital
business includes Walgreens.com, drugstore.com, Beauty.com,
SkinStore.com and VisionDirect.com. Walgreens also manages more than 400
Healthcare Clinic and provider practice locations around the country.
Copyright Business Wire 2014