Gift bags never seem to lose their popularity. Brenda Turner, director of marketing communications for DaySpring Inc., reveals that DaySpring saw per store sales increase by 15% from 2006 to 2008. "We did see a leveling out in 2009, but we attribute that to the poor economy and not a decline in appeal," Turner explains.
"Gift bags are so popular because they are a simple and effective way to give a gift," Jon Sharver, director of sales for Misumaru, states.
"Gift bags are all about convenience," Turner agrees. "It takes minimal time and doesn't require many supplies to prepare a great looking gift."
The use of gift bags has been around for over a decade, so they are not new. However, the growing popularity seems to revolve around speed, convenience and the recycling factor, in addition to great new styles that "seal" up with Velcro tabs, bags with music and/or flashing lights. In the past, size choices were often limited.
Retailers have also embraced attractive bags as their chosen method of gift wrap. Mary Liz Curtin, owner of Clawson, Mich.-based Leon & Lulu, admits that she utilizes totes emblazoned with the name of the shop as gift wrapping. "It's pretty and that way everyone knows where they got the present," Curtin admits.
DaySpring is among gift bag providers who have expanded upon components to complement gift bags. The line for 2010 will feature 25 new designs, nine of which will feature coordinating tissue and to/from tags. "We are also introducing a new extra large size to meet the need of larger gifts," Turner reveals. "Several of our new bags are licensed products and carry strong inspirational messages. Unique sizes and shapes such as trapezoids, triangles and purses are also included and the collection will feature two bags with sound to make any gift a hit."
Horseshoe Gift Packaging similarly gives buyers a one-stop shop for creating a visually stunning present with its gift bags, coordinating tissue paper, wrapping paper and ribbon. "Our gift bags are designed to make an impression on your gifts' recipients," Nancy Yonko, company manager of Horse-shoe Gift Packaging, expresses. "Gift bags – along with our double sided shiny Metallic Silver Tissue – are a great way to wrap those unusually shaped or hard-to-wrap gifts."
Many bags from DaySpring feature unique processes or attachments that add a little something extra and make the bag feel like a gift itself. "Another great feature is that gift bags are often reusable, saving time and money and helping people ‘go green,'" Turner notes.
Gift bags never seem to lose their popularity. Brenda Turner, director of marketing communications for 