2013 Lands' End Business Gift Survey Reveals Holiday Gifts Growing in Popularity with Clients and Employees

DODGEVILLE, Wis., Oct. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Whether a monogrammed tote, apparel or a gourmet treat, more American workers (78 percent) would rather receive a great holiday gift than have an office party – an increase of 12 percent from just one year prior. Lands' End Business Outfitters today released the results of its 2013 Holiday Business Gift Survey* with some surprising results. In addition, to help organizations select holiday gifts, Lands' End Business Outfitters announced it is hosting a Holiday Gifting Webinar on Friday, October 11 at 12 noon CST at landsend.com/business.

"The holidays are a natural time to recognize employees and business partners with a thoughtful gift. Our survey shows that people really appreciate those gifts – much more than even an office party," said Carl Atwell, senior vice president, Lands' End Business Outfitters. "We work hard to develop a selection of high-quality gifts to fit just about any budget and many tastes. We've truly earned our reputation for quality and customer service."

Seventy-four percent of survey respondents indicated a "reputation for quality" as their number one attribute for selecting a gift provider, followed by a "wide assortment of product offerings" at 54 percent. As "the most recommended brand of logo'd products"**, Lands' End Business Outfitters meets all these demands with hundreds of top-notch gifts that can be personalized with a logo and are backed by the Lands' End unconditional return policy, Guaranteed. Period.®

Business Gifting Begins
According to the survey, now until November 30 is prime time for corporate gift shopping (56 percent of respondents). Lands' End Business Outfitters is at the ready with everything from delicious North Pole Pretzels in a reusable tin to a new Fireside 6-in-1 Game Set in natural wood. To help clients and employees deck their homes and office halls, organizations will find a selection of fresh greenery. For items that can be personalized, look for backpacks, padfolios, portfolios, Canvas Totes, Canvas Wine Totes, fleece throws and even drinkware and a wine and cheese kit.

The 2013 Holiday Business Gift Survey also uncovered the following surprising facts:

• Tried-and-True: Of the 73 percent of employers that purchase employee gifts, most plan on spending up to $50 – about the same as last year (50 percent). Employers prefer to give employees apparel (42 percent), gift cards (28 percent), bags/totes (27 percent) and food (24 percent); while most employees' preferred gift to receive from an employer is a holiday cash bonus (45 percent), followed by gift cards (23 percent) and apparel (11 percent), beating out an extra day off at 6 percent.
• Thoughtful and Practical: Of the employers that purchase client gifts, most plan on spending the same as they did last year. Most (39 percent) seek practical items that can be used outside of the workplace. Plus, most are spending less than $25, but about one-third are spending $25-50. Preferred gifts are apparel (38 percent), bags/totes (38 percent), food (28 percent), drinkware (22 percent) and padfolios/writing instruments (18 percent).
• Gifting Policies: The majority of companies don't have a gifting policy (36 percent). Of those companies that do, 12 percent specify gifts of less than $25.
• Gifts for Bosses: Most employees give their boss a gift – whether a group gift (36 percent) or just from them (30 percent).

About Lands' End Business Outfitters
Lands' End Business Outfitters designs unique uniform programs that offer employees individual choices and help build the brands of companies of all sizes, including hundreds of Fortune 1000 companies. All Lands' End merchandise is Guaranteed. Period.® Lands' End is a proud member of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD). For more information visit www.landsend.com/business or call 1-800-338-2000.

About Lands' End^® 
Lands' End is a classic American lifestyle brand with a passion for quality, legendary service, real value and a simple two-word promise to stand behind everything it sells: Guaranteed. Period.^® Lands' End delivers timeless style for Men, Women, Kids and the Home at landsend.com, 1-800-800-5800, the Lands' End Shops at Sears and around the world. Lands' End is a proud member of the Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD).

*Lands' End Business Outfitters Business Gift Survey of 671 corporate decision makers via online, September 16-25, 2013.
**Independent logo'd product study fielded by Equation Research, June 12-19, 2013.

SOURCE Lands' End Business Outfitters