”In 2024, the corporate gift market reaches a new peak and will continue to remain there, given the increasingly prominent trend among companies, including small ones with 5-10 employees, to have budgets dedicated to gifts for employees and partners. If the budgets are increasing slightly, at over RON 300 per gift, the number of requests for gifts is at a very accelerated stage, from companies of all sizes, from various fields, from Bucharest to Constanța, Iași, Cluj Timișoara, but also in smaller cities, such as Brașov and Galați. As an employer, companies want to be attractive to both candidates and employees. In addition, they are aware that an employer-employee relationship is maintained by recognition and appreciation, and then they choose to offer surprises at the office and interesting gifts to team members, in addition to the classic extra-salary benefits. In parallel, they want to be memorable in the relationship with any business partner, turning to personalized gifts. There is a change in mindset, from giving her something because that's what is done on holidays or another special occasion to the concern of giving her a different, personalized surprise, through which she will impress and be highly remarkable", explains Dragoș Ungureanu, founder of Atelier Cortez.

What gifts do companies give to employees?

More than 40% of the requests received from companies concern the purchase of gifts for employees, as well as interactive chocolate-making and macaron-making workshops. Employees most often receive macarons and prosecco or wine, either as part of performance rewards or on various occasions, birthdays, name days, March 8, or holidays. Most requests come from employers in IT, pharma, automotive, the oil field, retail, and others, according to Atelier Cortez data.

For customers or business partners, gift boxes containing combinations such as macarons and wine, macarons and prosecco, chocolate and prosecco or wine and chocolate are among the most popular options. Also, in over 99% of cases, these gifts are personalized with the logo of the company to which they are given, thus emphasizing the companies' desire to mark their presence and offer memorable and distinctive gifts.

Among the most unusual requests so far are: chocolate chip (snack maker), custom pencils that have a lollipop instead of the classic eraser, custom chocolate in various shapes, custom cocktail decorations printed on rice sheets (no taste, unscented), nominally personalized gift box with nominally and individually personalized wine and macarons (with different hobbies, messages and symbolism for each contributor or employee).

"This year, in parallel with the increase in demand for corporate gifts, we noticed a significant change in the behavior of companies, who placed orders for gifts intended for the holidays of March 1-8 and Easter much earlier than in previous years, as early as January. We believe that the reasons are the desire of companies to organize ahead of time, the prioritization of gifts in this year's budget for fringe benefits for employees and gifts for partners, and the high rate of return of our customers. This demonstrates not only greater anticipation of needs but and an increased desire to celebrate and value connections with employees and business partners authentically and memorably", adds Dragoș Ungureanu, founder of Atelier Cortez.

As a result of the increased demand for gifts from multinational companies, but also from Romanian SMEs, Atelier Cortez estimates that it will deliver over 3,000 corporate gifts for employees and business partners in the main cities of the country.

In 2024, Atelier Cortez expects to increase production to more than 200,000 macarons, 50,000 pralines, and more than 5,000 chocolate bars.

Atelier Cortez is one of the main producers of customized artisan chocolates and macarons, being an important supplier on the corporate gift market for companies that want to offer memorable gifts for employees and clients, and business partners. Atelier Cortez stood out on the market both with macarons and chocolate and other fresh, delicious, and customized products, as well as with personalized corporate gifts with the logo of the client company. At Atelier Cortez, sweet delicacies with subtle aromas, irresistible textures, and unique combinations are created, the company is also developing successfully in the segment of corporate and private events. Over 90% of Atelier Cortez's customers are companies from all over the country, and the number of individual customers who want to give a memorable gift is growing.