Gifting: British employees are fans of ‘merch’

Almost three quarters of workers in Britain love to receive corporate gifts, claiming that it makes them feel valued and appreciated, according to new research.

The new nationwide study of more 1,500 employees, commissioned by promotional products company 4imprint, explored what it is that British workers enjoy most about their job.

It found that despite the salary, the feeling of being part of a team is important to more than half (51%) of those polled. Working Brits also enjoy company benefits or perks (37%), having a sense of comradeship with their colleagues (35%) and running a project where they can make decisions (30%).

Among the most attractive benefits to employees include flexible working arrangements (61%), free corporate merchandise (36%) and a workplace pension (35%). Free or subsidised gym memberships to improve health and wellbeing as well as tax incentives, such as cycle to work schemes, are also important to British workers.

The data published in its Work Perks Report indicates that 72% of the British workforce claim that corporate gifts make employees feel valued and quarter of those surveyed said they’re good for morale.

The vast majority (85%) of employees even went as far as saying that regular promotional gifts would change their opinion of the company that they work for.

The promotional retailer’s study revealed the most sought-after corporate merchandise are staff recognition gifts that have been personalised.

More than a quarter (29%) of those surveyed appreciate ‘merch’ that they can use every day, while a further one in four (25%) want something that makes their jobs easier. The survey identifies the favourite types of merchandise are t-shirts & hoodies (58%), water bottles (40%) and pens (40%) among other useful everyday items such as travel mugs and bags.

The data shows that 85% of the people polled said they would provide corporate gifts to their employees if they were made boss.

The findings suggest that simple gestures like corporate merchandise can make a real impact on an organisation’s culture and staff morale with little cost to the employer.

Unsurprisingly, nine out of 10 people surveyed appreciate gifts no matter who they came from.

Meanwhile, over half of the people polled (55%) said that they have made a purchase from a brand within the last 12 months that included a free gift, proving that promotional giveaways and merchandise help to boost sales.

Top 15 favourite items among ‘Merch-Fans’  

1. Water bottles
2. Pens
3. T-shirts
4. Hoodies
5. Travel mugs
6. Notebooks
7. Mugs
8. Bags
9. Jackets
10. Fleeces
11. Flasks
12. Powerbanks
13. Headphones
14. Wireless chargers
15. Phone cases.