GITNUXREPORT 2025

Gift Industry Statistics

Global gift market exceeds $535 billion; online, eco-friendly, personalized gifts grow.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Approximately 70% of consumers purchase gifts during major holidays such as Christmas and Mother’s Day

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Millennials are the largest demographic group purchasing gifts, accounting for 45% of gift buyers

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The average American spends $165 on gifts during the holiday season

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The average number of gifts purchased per person during the holiday season is 7

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55% of consumers prefer to give experiential gifts rather than physical items

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80% of shoppers read reviews before buying a gift online

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Gift registries are used by 65% of engaged couples in the US

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The majority of gift buyers (around 65%) prefer to purchase gifts from local or small businesses

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Eco-conscious gift recipients are more likely to keep sustainable gifts, with a retention rate of 85%

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The average age of gift buyers is 40 years old, indicating a mature and stable market base

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The average return rate for gifts is roughly 8%, with higher rates during post-holiday sales periods

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Millennials and Gen Z combined make up over 60% of the gift card purchasers, highlighting demographic trends

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The percentage of consumers purchasing handmade gifts online increased by 18% in 2023, showing a preference for artisanal products

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The top three gift challenges faced by consumers are choosing the right item (42%), budget constraints (37%), and delivery time (21%)

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Growth in the personalized gift market is driven primarily by millennial consumers, making up approximately 65% of custom gift buyers

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The percentage of gift buyers who prioritize eco-friendliness has risen to 58% in 2023, up from 45% in 2020, reflecting increased environmental awareness

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The global gift market was valued at approximately $535 billion in 2022

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The online gift market accounted for over 30% of all gift sales in 2023

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In 2022, the gift card industry generated over $200 billion in sales worldwide

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Eco-friendly and sustainable gifts grew by 25% in sales in 2023

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Customizable home décor items saw a 35% increase in sales compared to 2022

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The worldwide handmade gift market has expanded by 20% in the last year

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Gift basket sales increased by 18% in 2023, especially in gourmet and wine gift baskets

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Subscription gift box services experienced a 50% growth in subscribers in 2023, reflecting the rise in recurring gift giving

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The online personalized gift market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12% through 2028

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Gift industry employees are estimated to number over 2 million globally, representing a sizable employment sector

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Gifts purchased for pets now account for about 10% of the pet product market, showing growth in pet gifting

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Corporate gifting accounts for approximately 25% of total gift sales, valued at over $125 billion worldwide

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The average spend on wedding gifts in the US is about $150 per gift, with total wedding gift sales exceeding $10 billion annually

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The gift industry’s growth rate has averaged around 4.5% annually over the last decade, indicating steady expansion

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The country with the highest per capita gift expenditure is Norway, with an average of $300 spent per person annually

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The use of AR (Augmented Reality) in gift shopping increased by 60% in 2023, enhancing online gift experiences

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The handmade gift market has expanded to include virtual workshops and DIY kits, which grew by 30% in 2023

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The average number of gift items purchased per holiday season has increased by 10% over the past five years, indicating growing consumer generosity

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The use of AI for gift recommendations increased by 70% in 2023, providing more personalized shopping experiences

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Personalized gifts represent about 40% of online gift sales

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The most popular gift categories in 2023 are electronics, fashion accessories, and home décor

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The top three most purchased gift items in 2023 were jewelry, electronics, and books

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The average reorder rate for gift items online is around 15%, indicating high customer satisfaction

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Sales of holiday-themed gifts accounted for 45% of all seasonal gift sales in 2023, indicating seasonal peaks

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Gifts containing technology accessories saw a 22% sales increase in 2023 over the previous year, driven by new product launches

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Floral arrangements are popular gift items for occasions like Mother’s Day, accounting for 20% of gift sales during that season

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Limited edition and collectible gifts increased sales by 27% in 2023, appealing to collectors and enthusiasts

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Gift-related searches on Google peaked in December each year, with a 150% increase compared to the average month, indicating peak search periods

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Retail stores accounted for 60% of gift sales in 2023, down from 75% in 2019, indicating a shift to online purchasing

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Gift wrapping services increase customer spend by an average of $15 per transaction

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Retailers that offer gift wrapping services see an increase in average transaction value by approximately 12%

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The most popular locations for gift shopping are major cities with high foot traffic, accounting for 55% of in-store sales

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Gifts purchased during flash sales or clearance events account for about 15% of all gift sales annually, highlighting the importance of discount periods

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Sales of eco-friendly gift packaging grew by 60% in the last two years, emphasizing sustainability

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The rise of eco-friendly packaging has reduced waste by an estimated 15,000 tons in 2023 alone, promoting sustainability in the gift industry

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Gifts containing eco-friendly materials are 35% more likely to be kept long-term compared to non-sustainable gifts, according to consumer surveys

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Key Highlights

The global gift market was valued at approximately $535 billion in 2022
The online gift market accounted for over 30% of all gift sales in 2023
Approximately 70% of consumers purchase gifts during major holidays such as Christmas and Mother’s Day
Personalized gifts represent about 40% of online gift sales
The most popular gift categories in 2023 are electronics, fashion accessories, and home décor
Millennials are the largest demographic group purchasing gifts, accounting for 45% of gift buyers
In 2022, the gift card industry generated over $200 billion in sales worldwide
Eco-friendly and sustainable gifts grew by 25% in sales in 2023
The average American spends $165 on gifts during the holiday season
Retail stores accounted for 60% of gift sales in 2023, down from 75% in 2019, indicating a shift to online purchasing
Gift wrapping services increase customer spend by an average of $15 per transaction
The average number of gifts purchased per person during the holiday season is 7
55% of consumers prefer to give experiential gifts rather than physical items

The gift industry is booming like never before, with its estimated global value reaching over $535 billion in 2022 and a rapidly growing online sector now accounting for over 30% of all sales, driven by shifting consumer preferences towards personalized, eco-friendly, and experiential gifts, especially among Millennials and Gen Z.

Consumer Demographics and Preferences

Approximately 70% of consumers purchase gifts during major holidays such as Christmas and Mother’s Day
Millennials are the largest demographic group purchasing gifts, accounting for 45% of gift buyers
The average American spends $165 on gifts during the holiday season
The average number of gifts purchased per person during the holiday season is 7
55% of consumers prefer to give experiential gifts rather than physical items
80% of shoppers read reviews before buying a gift online
Gift registries are used by 65% of engaged couples in the US
The majority of gift buyers (around 65%) prefer to purchase gifts from local or small businesses
Eco-conscious gift recipients are more likely to keep sustainable gifts, with a retention rate of 85%
The average age of gift buyers is 40 years old, indicating a mature and stable market base
The average return rate for gifts is roughly 8%, with higher rates during post-holiday sales periods
Millennials and Gen Z combined make up over 60% of the gift card purchasers, highlighting demographic trends
The percentage of consumers purchasing handmade gifts online increased by 18% in 2023, showing a preference for artisanal products
The top three gift challenges faced by consumers are choosing the right item (42%), budget constraints (37%), and delivery time (21%)
Growth in the personalized gift market is driven primarily by millennial consumers, making up approximately 65% of custom gift buyers
The percentage of gift buyers who prioritize eco-friendliness has risen to 58% in 2023, up from 45% in 2020, reflecting increased environmental awareness

Consumer Demographics and Preferences Interpretation

While Millennials now dominate 45% of gift purchasing and over half of consumers prefer experiential and eco-friendly options—reflecting a more conscious, personalized, and socially aware industry—the holiday gift market remains anchored by a steady average spend of $165 and a modest 8% return rate, revealing that even in a digital, artisanal, and sustainability-driven era, the gift-giving landscape still wrestles with the age-old dilemmas of choice, budget, and timing.

Market Size and Growth Trends

The global gift market was valued at approximately $535 billion in 2022
The online gift market accounted for over 30% of all gift sales in 2023
In 2022, the gift card industry generated over $200 billion in sales worldwide
Eco-friendly and sustainable gifts grew by 25% in sales in 2023
Customizable home décor items saw a 35% increase in sales compared to 2022
The worldwide handmade gift market has expanded by 20% in the last year
Gift basket sales increased by 18% in 2023, especially in gourmet and wine gift baskets
Subscription gift box services experienced a 50% growth in subscribers in 2023, reflecting the rise in recurring gift giving
The online personalized gift market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12% through 2028
Gift industry employees are estimated to number over 2 million globally, representing a sizable employment sector
Gifts purchased for pets now account for about 10% of the pet product market, showing growth in pet gifting
Corporate gifting accounts for approximately 25% of total gift sales, valued at over $125 billion worldwide
The average spend on wedding gifts in the US is about $150 per gift, with total wedding gift sales exceeding $10 billion annually
The gift industry’s growth rate has averaged around 4.5% annually over the last decade, indicating steady expansion
The country with the highest per capita gift expenditure is Norway, with an average of $300 spent per person annually
The use of AR (Augmented Reality) in gift shopping increased by 60% in 2023, enhancing online gift experiences
The handmade gift market has expanded to include virtual workshops and DIY kits, which grew by 30% in 2023
The average number of gift items purchased per holiday season has increased by 10% over the past five years, indicating growing consumer generosity
The use of AI for gift recommendations increased by 70% in 2023, providing more personalized shopping experiences

Market Size and Growth Trends Interpretation

As the global gift market, now valued at a staggering $535 billion, embraces digital innovation, eco-consciousness, and personalized experiences—driven by a 70% surge in AI and virtual workshops—it's clear that giving is not just growing larger but smarter, greener, and more tailored than ever before.

Product Categories and Popular Items

Personalized gifts represent about 40% of online gift sales
The most popular gift categories in 2023 are electronics, fashion accessories, and home décor
The top three most purchased gift items in 2023 were jewelry, electronics, and books
The average reorder rate for gift items online is around 15%, indicating high customer satisfaction
Sales of holiday-themed gifts accounted for 45% of all seasonal gift sales in 2023, indicating seasonal peaks
Gifts containing technology accessories saw a 22% sales increase in 2023 over the previous year, driven by new product launches
Floral arrangements are popular gift items for occasions like Mother’s Day, accounting for 20% of gift sales during that season
Limited edition and collectible gifts increased sales by 27% in 2023, appealing to collectors and enthusiasts
Gift-related searches on Google peaked in December each year, with a 150% increase compared to the average month, indicating peak search periods

Product Categories and Popular Items Interpretation

In 2023, the gift industry showcased a compelling blend of personalized touches, technological trends, and seasonal surges—highlighting that while digital searches peak during holidays, consumers remain eager for both meaningful keepsakes and innovative keepsakes, making gifting a festive yet data-driven art form.

Sales Channels and Retail Strategies

Retail stores accounted for 60% of gift sales in 2023, down from 75% in 2019, indicating a shift to online purchasing
Gift wrapping services increase customer spend by an average of $15 per transaction
Retailers that offer gift wrapping services see an increase in average transaction value by approximately 12%
The most popular locations for gift shopping are major cities with high foot traffic, accounting for 55% of in-store sales
Gifts purchased during flash sales or clearance events account for about 15% of all gift sales annually, highlighting the importance of discount periods

Sales Channels and Retail Strategies Interpretation

As gift shoppers increasingly embrace the digital realm, retail stores are losing ground, even as savvy retailers leveraging gift wrapping and flash sales capitalize on the $15 extra per transaction and 12% boost in average spend to unwrap new opportunities amid a bustling, city-centric, discount-driven industry.

Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Practices

Sales of eco-friendly gift packaging grew by 60% in the last two years, emphasizing sustainability
The rise of eco-friendly packaging has reduced waste by an estimated 15,000 tons in 2023 alone, promoting sustainability in the gift industry
Gifts containing eco-friendly materials are 35% more likely to be kept long-term compared to non-sustainable gifts, according to consumer surveys

Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Practices Interpretation

The surging 60% growth in eco-friendly gift packaging not only champions sustainability by cutting 15,000 tons of waste in 2023 but also proves that environmentally conscious gifts are more likely to be cherished long-term, blending eco-awareness with consumer loyalty.