The gift box market - France

The global gift box market, particularly concentrated in Europe and led by France, has matured considerably since its rapid growth in the 2010s. With France accounting for a substantial share of the European market, estimated at 1 billion euros, the French market has matured, with changing trends indicating the need for market players to seek new growth drivers. The French market was valued at 255 million euros, highlighting a competitive landscape where brands such as Wonderbox and Smartbox dominate with almost 90% market share.

Consumer confidence, which struggled between 2010 and 2012 due to the bankruptcy of some market players, has since become paramount, with the French government implementing stricter regulations to protect consumers. The market has also seen shifts in consumer preferences, with a move towards intangible gifts and personalized experienceses, coupled with innovations such as digitization and an increase in niche offers to differentiate and meet different consumer demands. The average price of gift sets has seen a downward trend, from 90 euros to 80 euros, with price ranges widening to include both accessible and premium options.

Despite continued market concentration, niche players are finding opportunities by specializing in particular segments such as sports, gastronomy and ecotourism, capitalizing on the growing curiosity for new experiences and the continuing appeal of experiential gifts.

Quality and innovation boost consumer confidence in the French gift box sector

The French gift box market has evolved significantly since the concept gained popularity with the launch of key players such as Smartbox and Wonderbox. Initially driving rapid market growth, the novelty of gift boxes has faded, bringing the market to a more mature stage. This maturity translated into growth that began to slow, indicating the need for companies to look for new growth levers beyond the initial enthusiasm generated by the new concept. Demand for gift sets in France is strongly influenced by consumers' renewed confidence in the market, as well as their curiosity about new experiences.

After a period of scrutiny from 2010 to 2012 due to a series of bankruptcies among gift box companies, consumer confidence had to be restored. Regulation played a key role in this, with amendments to the Tourism Act strengthening protections and requiring gift box issuers to register with Atout France. These issuers, like travel agents, are subject to strict obligations towards consumers with regard to the performance of their contractual services, reinforcing consumer responsibility and confidence. French consumers of gift boxes are predominantly women, many of whom have already received a gift box themselves. This shows the importance of user experience in encouraging repeat purchases. The socio-economic population tends to belong to the middle or upper classes. In addition, a significant proportion of demand comes from the B2B sector, where companies purchase gift boxes for employee incentive purposes, for example.

Seasonality also has a significant influence on demand for gift sets, with peaks in December - probably linked to Christmas shopping - and, to a lesser extent, in October.l purchases - and, to a lesser extent, in spring, around events such as weddings and national holidays like Mother's Day and Father's Day. As a result, almost half of the sector's sales take place during the festive season, benefiting from the wave of gift-giving. According to the information provided, the French gift box market is significant, with over 3.5 million gift boxes purchased. This underlines the prevalence of gift box consumption in French culture, highlighting both its past growth capacity and its current need for strategic innovation to facilitate further market expansion.

Key players such as Wonderbox and Smartbox have dominated the market, having responded to past challenges by focusing on the quality and diversity of their offerings. Wonderbox, for example, has invested in a rigorous selection process and ongoing evaluation.

The main market players and their distinctive strategies in the gift box industry

In the dynamic landscape of the gift box market, a handful of influential companies stand out for their innovative approaches and niche targeting. The sector is dominated by two giants, Wonderbox and Smartbox, who together hold a substantial share of the market.

• Wonderbox has carved out a place for itself in the market by focusing on quality and customer trust. The company imposes strict standards on its partners, ensuring that the experiences they offer meet the high expectations of their marketing teams. Surveys and mystery shopper programs are part of Wonderbox's efforts to maintain excellence and consumer trust. The company is also boldly innovative, launching new product ranges and personalized gift boxes, giving customers the luxury of tailoring their experiences to their unique preferences.
• Smartbox is no exception, known for its wide range of options covering a broad spectrum of experiences. The acquisition of Dakotabox has strengthened Smartbox's position in the market. In response to changing consumer tastes and their need for novelty, Smartbox collaborates with local suppliers to create experiences centered on France, focusing on the charm and appeal of local tourism and national heritage.
• Moving away from the generalists, **Ideal Gourmet** stands out for its specialization in gastronomic adventures. It is aimed at food enthusiasts who want to discover refined restaurants and gastronomic experiences.
• NaturaBox caters to the eco-conscious segment, offering gift boxes that promote ecological and responsible tourism, reflecting the growing demand for sustainable, eco-friendly travel options.
• Tick and Box harnesses the passion of sports enthusiasts by offering boxes tailored to sporting events, catering to the preferences of those who enjoy the adrenaline and excitement of live sports.
• Masterbox distinguishes itself by offering handcrafted products, attracting a clientele that appreciates the craftsmanship and authenticity of handmade products.

Thanks to these varied approaches, each player in the gift box market holds its own, responding to specific customer interests and emerging trends. This segmentation enables them to diversify, innovate and maintain their relevance in a competitive and constantly evolving sector.

Informations

• Nombre de pages : 30 pages
• Format : Version digitale et PDF
• Dernière mise à jour : 19/11/2020

Sommaire et extraits

Liste des graphiques

• Taille du marché français des coffrets cadeaux
• Typologie de l'acheteur de coffrets cadeaux
• Interêt de recherche pour le terme "coffret cadeau"
• Occasions privilégiées pour offrir un coffret cadeau
• Répartition du prix d'un coffret séjour Wonderbox à 99.9 euros entre les différents acteurs
• Parts de marché en valeur des acteurs du coffret-cadeau
• Répartition du chiffre d'affaires du marché des coffrets cadeaux par type de distribution
• Répartition des ventes de coffrets cadeaux par circuit de distribution
• Répartition des ventes de coffrets cadeaux Wonderbox par type d'offre
• Prix moyen d'un coffret cadeau