2012 Lands' End Business Gift Survey Reveals U.S. Companies To Stretch Gift-giving Dollars With Quality, Practical Gifts

DODGEVILLE, Wis., Oct. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A Sumo wrestler stress ball from your boss? A plastic elf that sings a cheesy rendition of "Deck the Halls" from a business partner? Forget about it!  According to a Lands' End survey, overwhelmingly companies and employees are seeking thoughtful, practical gifts from providers with a reputation for quality. Lands' End Business Outfitters today released the results of its 2012 Holiday Business Gift Survey,* including a hilarious list of some of the oddest gifts received.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20071029/AQM053LOGO)

Fifty percent of survey respondents indicated a "reputation for quality" as their number one attribute for selecting a gift provider, followed by "assortment of product offerings" at 35 percent. As "the most recommended brand of logo'd products"**, Lands' End Business Outfitters has the perfect gifts to top the most finicky recipient's list.

"The holidays are a great time to express gratitude and thank business partners and employees. We found in our survey that almost two-thirds of employees would rather receive a gift than have a holiday party," said John Maher, senior vice president, Lands' End Business Outfitters. "We know people are working hard. So we've worked even harder to help companies find great ways to celebrate the season. We've truly earned our reputation for quality and customer service."

Business Gifting Begins
According to the survey, now until November 15 is the "sweet spot" for corporate gift shopping (44% of respondents). Lands' End Business Outfitters is just the place, with a wide selection of luxurious and practical logo'd items to fit just about any budget. Look for everything from Peppermint Crunch Cookies™ and a trio of gourmet popcorn from Rural Route 1 to embossed cowhide leather portfolios and durable canvas wine totes. For a touch of the unexpected, businesses can find logo'd spa sets, purse hooks, coolers and even ceramic to-go cups. Of course, Lands' End Business Outfitters will logo just about anything that will take a stitch. Companies can feature their logos on Classic Squall^® Jackets, Thermacheck^® 100 fleece half-zips, pullovers and jackets, down vests, buttondown shirts and much more.

The 2012 Holiday Business Gift Survey also uncovered the following hilarious facts:

• Odd Gifts from Business Partners: A juicer with 50 pounds of carrots; a bendable Ben Franklin figure; a lint brush; a toilet plunger decorated in Christmas items; a one-foot long fat pencil; a pair of thermal underwear; battery powered back scratcher; pickled cabbage; pork rinds; toothpick with magnifier; and blinking reusable ice cubes.
  
  
• Odd Gifts from Bosses: A four-foot stuffed plush panther; a book on how to manage employees; snowflake sunglasses; a paperweight; medical scrubs in a dark evergreen color; a clock made from a tool; venison sausage to a vegetarian; a fake flower arrangement; dice; homemade meatloaf; a 12 lb. frozen turkey with price tag indicating it was $0.13 per pound; leg warmers; lingerie; potholders; and wrapping paper.

Other survey findings reveal:

• Tried-and-True: Of the 63% of employers that purchase employee gifts, most plan on spending about the same as they did last year. Most plan on spending less than $50. Preferred gifts are gift cards (27%), apparel (25%), food (22%), holiday cash bonus (17%), padfolios/writing instruments or drinkware (13% each).
  
  
• Of the 52% of employers that purchase client gifts, most plan on spending the same as they did last year. Most are spending less than $25, but about one-third are spending $25-50. Preferred gifts are food (28%), bags/totes (19%), apparel (18%), gift cards (17%), padfolios/writing instruments or drinkware (13% each).

About Lands' End Business Outfitters
Lands' End Business Outfitters designs unique uniform programs that offer employees individual choices and helps 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 1,129 corporate decision makers via online, Sept. 6-13, 2012
**Independent logo'd product study fielded by Equation Research, June 18-22, 2012

SOURCE Lands' End