Approximately 50% of people struggle with gift selection due to 'not knowing the recipient's preferences or what they want' – Nationwide Survey of 1,388 Individuals on Spring Gift Trends
A survey conducted by Incom Japan revealed that the biggest concern in gift selection is 'not knowing the recipient's preferences or what they want'. In response, the company has started selling 'Selectable Gift' cards, which allow recipients to choose from multiple products, at FamilyMart and Ministop stores nationwide.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 22:10
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 13:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 13:54 (23 min after Collected)
Spring, a season characterized by new school years, job changes, and workplace transfers, often presents numerous opportunities for gift-giving, yet it also frequently leads to dilemmas regarding gift choices. In response, this survey was conducted targeting 1,388 men and women aged 20-40 nationwide to investigate their attitudes towards gift selection.
**Survey Results Summary**
* The top scene for gift selection dilemmas is 'small thank-you gifts' (22.8%), followed by 'birthdays' (22.3%).
* The most common reason for gift selection dilemmas was 'not knowing the recipient's preferences' (26.4%).
* Nearly half of respondents (48.1%) reported having received a gift in the past that they 'honestly found troublesome'. The top reason for this was 'it didn't match my preferences' (56.2%).
* Approximately 60% (59.4%) cited 'feelings are conveyed' as the reason for preferring physical hand-delivery.
**Survey Overview**
* **Survey Title:** Questionnaire about you
* **Survey Period:** March 25, 2026 – April 1, 2026
* **Target Respondents:** Men and women aged 20-49 who have given gifts in the past 12 months
* **Valid Responses:** 1,388 individuals
* **Survey Method:** Internet survey (online)
* **Area:** Nationwide
* **Survey Organizer:** Incom Japan Co., Ltd.
**Survey Report**
1. **Top 5 Gift Selection Dilemma Scenes, 1st Place is 'Small Thank-You Gifts'**
In this survey, when asked about the scene where they 'most struggled' with gift selection (Q1), the most frequent answer was 'small thank-you gifts' (22.8%). This was followed by 'birthdays' (22.3%), then 'small gifts for friends' (9.4%), 'Mother's Day/Father's Day' (8.7%), and 'workplace farewell/transfer/retirement' (8.4%). This suggests a tendency to struggle more with gift choices in casual settings with limited budgets than in formal occasions like wedding or baby showers.
2. **Top Reason for Gift Selection Dilemmas is 'Not Knowing the Recipient's Preferences'**
The most common reason for struggling with gift selection (Q2) was 'not knowing the recipient's preferences' (26.4%), followed by 'not knowing what the recipient wants' (25.1%). Combined, these two items indicate that approximately half of respondents struggle with considering the recipient's preferences or desires.
3. **Regarding 'Honestly Troublesome' Gifts Received**
When asked if they had ever received a gift in the past that they 'honestly found troublesome' (Q3), 48.1% responded 'yes'. The top reasons for this (Q4) were 'it didn't match my preferences' (56.2%) and 'I had no use for it and ultimately didn't use it' (52.6%). This reveals a mismatch between the giver's good intentions and the recipient's actual needs.
4. **Desired Gifts and the Value of 'Hand-Delivery'**
When asked about the reasons for being happy with past gifts received (Q5), 'practical and immediately usable' (45.6%), 'something I wouldn't buy myself but am happy to receive' (36.3%), and 'able to choose what I want' (26.5%) were the top responses.
Furthermore, despite the spread of social gifting using SNS, when asked about the reasons for 'physically handing over an item' (Q6), 'feelings are conveyed' was the most common answer (59.4%), followed by 'can see the recipient's reaction' (39.3%) and 'it's proper etiquette' (31.9%). This indicates that not only convenience but also the warmth and etiquette of direct hand-delivery continue to be valued.
**Worry-Free Even If You Don't Know the Recipient's Preferences: The New Option 'Selectable Gift'**
The survey results highlight common gift selection dilemmas such as 'not knowing the recipient's preferences' and 'wanting to convey feelings through hand-delivery but also give something practical'.
As a new option to address these issues, Incom Japan Co., Ltd. is selling 'Selectable Gift' cards, which allow recipients to choose their preferred items from multiple products via a dedicated exchange site, at FamilyMart and Ministop stores nationwide.
In this survey, when asked about 'conditions for buying gifts at convenience stores' (Q7), 'looks presentable' (34.7%) and 'allows the recipient to choose their preferred product' (28.5%) were among the top answers. 'Selectable Gift' meets these needs, offering a way to easily prepare a 'proper gift' at familiar stores.
**Selectable Gift Available at FamilyMart, Ministop**
**Product Overview**
* **Product Name:** Selectable Gift
* **Product Features:** This is a multi-choice gift card that allows recipients to freely select and exchange multiple products from a dedicated exchange site within the purchased amount. It does not need to be used all at once and can be exchanged little by little, allowing the recipient to enjoy it at their own pace and preference.
* **Price:** 3,000 yen/
**Survey Results Summary**
* The top scene for gift selection dilemmas is 'small thank-you gifts' (22.8%), followed by 'birthdays' (22.3%).
* The most common reason for gift selection dilemmas was 'not knowing the recipient's preferences' (26.4%).
* Nearly half of respondents (48.1%) reported having received a gift in the past that they 'honestly found troublesome'. The top reason for this was 'it didn't match my preferences' (56.2%).
* Approximately 60% (59.4%) cited 'feelings are conveyed' as the reason for preferring physical hand-delivery.
**Survey Overview**
* **Survey Title:** Questionnaire about you
* **Survey Period:** March 25, 2026 – April 1, 2026
* **Target Respondents:** Men and women aged 20-49 who have given gifts in the past 12 months
* **Valid Responses:** 1,388 individuals
* **Survey Method:** Internet survey (online)
* **Area:** Nationwide
* **Survey Organizer:** Incom Japan Co., Ltd.
**Survey Report**
1. **Top 5 Gift Selection Dilemma Scenes, 1st Place is 'Small Thank-You Gifts'**
In this survey, when asked about the scene where they 'most struggled' with gift selection (Q1), the most frequent answer was 'small thank-you gifts' (22.8%). This was followed by 'birthdays' (22.3%), then 'small gifts for friends' (9.4%), 'Mother's Day/Father's Day' (8.7%), and 'workplace farewell/transfer/retirement' (8.4%). This suggests a tendency to struggle more with gift choices in casual settings with limited budgets than in formal occasions like wedding or baby showers.
2. **Top Reason for Gift Selection Dilemmas is 'Not Knowing the Recipient's Preferences'**
The most common reason for struggling with gift selection (Q2) was 'not knowing the recipient's preferences' (26.4%), followed by 'not knowing what the recipient wants' (25.1%). Combined, these two items indicate that approximately half of respondents struggle with considering the recipient's preferences or desires.
3. **Regarding 'Honestly Troublesome' Gifts Received**
When asked if they had ever received a gift in the past that they 'honestly found troublesome' (Q3), 48.1% responded 'yes'. The top reasons for this (Q4) were 'it didn't match my preferences' (56.2%) and 'I had no use for it and ultimately didn't use it' (52.6%). This reveals a mismatch between the giver's good intentions and the recipient's actual needs.
4. **Desired Gifts and the Value of 'Hand-Delivery'**
When asked about the reasons for being happy with past gifts received (Q5), 'practical and immediately usable' (45.6%), 'something I wouldn't buy myself but am happy to receive' (36.3%), and 'able to choose what I want' (26.5%) were the top responses.
Furthermore, despite the spread of social gifting using SNS, when asked about the reasons for 'physically handing over an item' (Q6), 'feelings are conveyed' was the most common answer (59.4%), followed by 'can see the recipient's reaction' (39.3%) and 'it's proper etiquette' (31.9%). This indicates that not only convenience but also the warmth and etiquette of direct hand-delivery continue to be valued.
**Worry-Free Even If You Don't Know the Recipient's Preferences: The New Option 'Selectable Gift'**
The survey results highlight common gift selection dilemmas such as 'not knowing the recipient's preferences' and 'wanting to convey feelings through hand-delivery but also give something practical'.
As a new option to address these issues, Incom Japan Co., Ltd. is selling 'Selectable Gift' cards, which allow recipients to choose their preferred items from multiple products via a dedicated exchange site, at FamilyMart and Ministop stores nationwide.
In this survey, when asked about 'conditions for buying gifts at convenience stores' (Q7), 'looks presentable' (34.7%) and 'allows the recipient to choose their preferred product' (28.5%) were among the top answers. 'Selectable Gift' meets these needs, offering a way to easily prepare a 'proper gift' at familiar stores.
**Selectable Gift Available at FamilyMart, Ministop**
**Product Overview**
* **Product Name:** Selectable Gift
* **Product Features:** This is a multi-choice gift card that allows recipients to freely select and exchange multiple products from a dedicated exchange site within the purchased amount. It does not need to be used all at once and can be exchanged little by little, allowing the recipient to enjoy it at their own pace and preference.
* **Price:** 3,000 yen/