Who Should You Target as a Custom Gifting Store in India
Running a custom gifting store in India offers you the chance to tap into a diverse market where personalized and unique gifts are in high demand.
From weddings to birthdays, corporate events to festivals, custom gifts have become a go-to option for people seeking something special. But to make your store a success, you need to know exactly who to target.
Having worked with several small businesses, I’ve seen firsthand how the right audience can make all the difference. Let me walk you through the key segments to focus on when marketing your custom gifting store.
Table of Contents
1. Millennials and Young Professionals
Millennials, especially those in their late 20s and early 30s, are big on personalization. This generation values unique, thoughtful gifts over generic ones, whether it’s for a friend’s wedding, a colleague’s promotion, or a personal milestone. They’re tech-savvy, social media-driven, and tend to look for convenience when shopping for gifts.
Why they’re ideal customers: Millennials love sharing experiences, and custom gifts help them create memorable moments. Whether it’s personalized mugs, engraved jewelry, or custom-designed gift boxes, they’re looking for gifts that reflect their style and thoughtfulness.
How to reach them: Social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are key to grabbing their attention. Use visually appealing content—product photos, influencer collaborations, and user-generated content—to show off your custom products. Offer seamless online ordering, quick delivery, and unique packaging to stand out from the competition.
2. Couples and Wedding Planners
Weddings are a huge deal in India, and custom gifts play a significant role in making the celebrations more special. From personalized wedding favors to unique gifts for the bridal party, couples are constantly looking for ways to add a personal touch to their big day.
What they’re looking for: Whether it’s custom wedding invitations, monogrammed décor, or personalized gifts for guests, couples are willing to spend on items that make their wedding unique. Wedding planners also play a significant role in sourcing custom gifts for their clients.
How to market to them: Offer wedding-specific gift packages or collections that cater to both small and large-scale events. Collaborate with wedding influencers or planners to showcase your products and services. Highlight any customizable options for wedding themes, color palettes, and personalization. Pinterest and Instagram are perfect platforms to promote your wedding gifting ideas.
3. Corporate Clients
Corporate gifting is a massive market in India, especially around holidays like Diwali, New Year, or company anniversaries. Businesses are always looking for thoughtful yet professional gifts for their employees, clients, and partners. These gifts need to be high-quality, customizable with branding, and delivered on time.
Why they’re a great fit: Corporate clients typically order in bulk, and they value the uniqueness that custom gifts bring to their brand image. Whether it’s branded diaries, engraved pens, or custom gift boxes, businesses want to make a lasting impression with their gifts.
How to attract them: Offer corporate gifting packages that can be tailored to different occasions. Highlight your ability to incorporate company logos, brand colors, or messaging into the gifts. LinkedIn is a strong platform for targeting decision-makers in HR and marketing departments. Also, focus on excellent customer service, bulk discounts, and reliable delivery.
4. Parents and Families
Parents, especially young families, are always on the lookout for special gifts for occasions like birthdays, baby showers, or school events. Personalized gifts, like custom baby clothing, milestone plaques, or family photo albums, are often cherished by this audience.
What they’re looking for: Parents are focused on creating memories. Whether it’s personalized birthday gifts for their children, unique family photo frames, or custom keepsakes, they want to give gifts that hold sentimental value.
How to market to them: Family-centric platforms like Facebook are great for reaching parents. Promote your custom gifting options through parenting groups or mommy influencers. Highlight items that can be customized for children, like personalized toys, clothes, or décor for nurseries. Offering gift-wrapping and hassle-free delivery will also appeal to busy parents.
5. Festival Shoppers
India’s rich culture and diverse festivals provide endless opportunities for custom gifting. From Diwali and Raksha Bandhan to Christmas and Eid, people across the country look for unique and personalized gifts to celebrate these special occasions.
Why they’re an ideal audience: Festival shoppers are always looking for something special that resonates with the holiday spirit. Personalized gifts like customized sweets boxes, festival-themed décor, or engraved jewelry make these celebrations even more meaningful.
How to engage them: Create festival-specific gift collections that cater to major holidays and market them as limited-edition items. Use Instagram and Facebook ads to promote your products in the weeks leading up to each festival. Offering pre-curated gift hampers that are customizable for the recipient’s preferences can also make your store a top choice for last-minute shoppers.
6. NRI (Non-Resident Indians) Community
The NRI community, especially those living in the US, UK, Canada, or Australia, often seek out custom gifts for their loved ones in India. Whether it’s sending gifts during festivals, birthdays, or anniversaries, NRIs look for ways to stay connected with their families and friends back home.
Why they’re important: NRIs are often willing to spend more on unique and memorable gifts that bridge the gap between them and their loved ones in India. Custom gifts that evoke nostalgia, cultural elements, or personal connections resonate deeply with this group.
How to reach them: Focus on offering international shipping and hassle-free online ordering. Consider promoting your services on platforms like Facebook and Google, targeting NRI groups and communities. You can also collaborate with influencers who have a strong NRI following. Emphasize the emotional value of gifting and highlight the cultural elements you can incorporate into custom gifts.
7. Young Entrepreneurs and Startups
In recent years, India has seen a surge in young entrepreneurs launching small businesses or side hustles. These startups are often looking for custom merchandise, whether it’s branded swag for their team or personalized gifts for their early customers.
What they’re looking for: Startups want high-quality, cost-effective custom gifts that reflect their brand’s personality. This could include branded T-shirts, custom notebooks, or personalized thank-you notes.
How to market to them: Offer tailored solutions for small businesses, such as low minimum order quantities or flexible design options. Leverage LinkedIn to connect with young entrepreneurs and promote your corporate merchandise services. Highlight your ability to help small businesses strengthen their brand identity through custom products.
Final Thoughts: Who’s Your Ideal Customer?
A custom gifting store appeals to a wide range of customers, from young professionals to parents and corporate clients. By identifying key segments and tailoring your marketing efforts to meet their unique needs, you’ll be able to grow your store effectively.
Demographics:
- Age: 25-45 years old
- Gender: Predominantly female, but with significant male customers in the corporate sector
- Income: Middle-to-high income bracket
- Location: Urban centers, NRIs abroad, and tech-savvy smaller cities
Psychographics:
- Values personalization and uniqueness in gifts
- Seeks out thoughtful and memorable items for special occasions
- Tech-savvy and comfortable with online shopping
- Willing to spend on high-quality, customized products
By focusing on these audiences and delivering exceptional customer experiences, your custom gifting store will be well-positioned to thrive in India’s growing gifting market.