As luxury appetite grows, 74pc of female Chinese HWNIs have self-gifted: survey

Gift giving is common practice among the Chinese, but the rising percentage of high-net-worth consumers self-gifting can provide luxury brands with an opportunity to forge a personal and emotional connection.

According to Hurun Research Institute and MEC’s “China high-net-worth gifting” white paper report, 67 percent of affluent Chinese consumers self-gifted last year, with 74 percent of females buying presents for themselves. Although gifting for family members is most common, with nearly 100 percent of those surveyed sending their kin gifts, self-gifting in China is trending as it fits with “little but certain happiness” and “love and pamper myself,” concepts being embraced by consumers.

Hurun and MEC surveyed 507 of China’s most successful high-net-worth individuals over a six month period from December 2016 to May 2017. Those surveyed represent 14 cities in Mainland China, have an average age of 41 years and wealth amounting to 22 million RMB, or $3.2 million, per capita, and 4.17 million RMB, or approximately $600,000 at current exchange, of annual disposable income.

Gifts, unwrapped
One of the main obstacles for luxury brands in the Chinese market is a lack of deep cultural understanding such as the motivations behind gifting.

Hurun and MEC’s white paper offers insights on gifting behavior and high-net-worth individuals’ motivations for purchasing gifts for themselves and others. These insights can assist luxury brands as they plan initiatives throughout the calendar year, which in China is dotted with numerous festivals where consumers give gifts.

As a result of Chinese gifting behavior, brands have responded with concepts such as topical marketing campaigns and product packaging and services, which make goods preferable present options.

While this is an understandable response, brands need to recognize the various gifting occasions and motivations such as expressing filial piety, love and care or sending blessings. Also, the role of various giftees needs to be considered.

Occasions with the highest gifting rate include Chinese New Year, birthdays, mid-autumn festivals and anniversaries.

Chinese New Year, for example, sees luxury brands launch culturally-inspired campaigns and specially designed product collections, often adorned with the year’s Chinese zodiac animal sign, to appeal to consumers in China, for gifting and self-gifting (see story).

Moncler designed a Year of the Rooster bomber jacket for Chinese New Year 2017. Image credit: Moncler

An important point for luxury brands to take into consideration for gift-related planning is how product, brand and price comes into play when a gift is being considered prior to purchase.

For Chinese high-net-worth consumers buying a gift, a product’s good quality and craftsmanship is a top thought with 87 percent of those surveyed agreeing. Additional factors include a product’s practicality, uniqueness and the attractiveness of its packaging.

Brand determinants include if the label in question is “high-end, to gain ‘Mianzi,’” or the concept of social status, with 90 percent agreeing this is taken into consideration for a gift. Also, whether the brand is well-known and fits with the image of the gift recipient is factored into the decision process.

As for price, 61 percent think about if the retail value meets the recipient's expectations.

The product category also depends on gender, with men often gifting jewelry, flowers and handbags, and women giving watches, personal care devices and mobile tablets as presents.

Age is also a factor when giving a gift. Per the report, consumers under 35 years old give more diverse fashionable products such as accessories, fragrance and personal care goods such as cosmetics and skincare.

Gifting accessories is popular among younger Chinese HNWIs. Image credit: Moynat

Also, as an increasing number of high-net-worth individuals turn attention to health and wellness, 90 percent of respondents say that health care products are popular gifts to give.

But, as in any culture, gift-giving can be challenging. Twenty-seven percent of high-net-worth individuals have difficulties when gifting due to being “unclear about giftees’ needs or preferences,” “time and effort spent in selecting gifts” and finding that the recipient of the gift tends to be “hard to impress.”

Unsurprisingly, women were found to enjoy the gift selection process enjoyable, while men “take shortcuts.”

To this point, Hurun and MEC suggest brands create more satisfying experiences for women through engagement tactics, and for men, organize gift-giving to be heightened by guidance.

Brands also need to be aware of where Chinese consumers are buying gifts to execute the best strategies. While 97 percent of high-net-worth individuals have purchased a gift at a bricks-and-mortar store, 69 percent have shopped for presents online.

Also, consumers in tier 1 and tier 2 cities view gifting in a more positive light than those living elsewhere in China.

Giving gifts of luxury
Hurun and MEC’s white paper also found that luxury gifts are increasing in popularity with 60 percent buying luxury goods more frequently compared with the last three years. Eighteen percent are buying luxury considerable more than they had in the past.

Per the report, 77 percent have gifted luxury items to others.

Top brands for gifting for occasions such as Chinese New Year include Apple, Cartier, Chanel and L.V. Moutai. Other gifting front-runners include Bulgari, Gucci, Hermès, Dior and Burberry.

Apple products are popular gifts for men, with 25 percent saying they would purchase an Apple device as a gift. Only 14 percent of female respondents agree with that choice.

Overall, the researcher institute has found Chinese interest in luxury has increased by 20 percent.

Luxury as choice gifts in China is on the rise. Image credit: Peninsula Hotels & Resorts

Hurun's "Chinese Luxury Consumer Survey” report from earlier this year equates the boost in interest with 90 percent of Chinese millionaires being more confident in China’s economic development. As a result, emigration from China is currently at the lowest point seen in five years (see story).