Office Depot Survey Reveals Workplace Gift-Giving Habits

DELRAY BEACH, FL -- According to the annual Office Depot Holiday Survey, 43% of respondents plan to give gifts this holiday to at least one business associate, but 90% of those surveyed are unfamiliar with the most current workplace gift-giving etiquette.

The nationwide survey of more than 2,200 Americans was conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Office Depot, one of the world's leading resellers of office products and services.

"Celebrating the holidays in a workplace environment can be a challenge because exchanging gifts in the office is very different than giving something to a friend or family member," noted Karen Stockwell, holiday business gift buyer for Office Depot. "To best support small businesses, Office Depot focuses on gifts that are appropriate for business associates. For the customer who's not sure where to start, we offer Gifts that Mean Business, including the Top 100 gifts for businesspeople. With pre-chosen products highlighted in the store, Office Depot has taken the worry out of the holiday shopping experience."

According to Stockwell, the Office Depot survey pointed out that the vast majority of Americans are involved in workplace gift giving -- with over three-quarters (78%) noting that they will either give gifts or celebrate the holidays at work.

According to Stockwell, Office Depot's survey gave respondents the opportunity to choose which celebrity best describes their holiday shopping style:

• 22% saw themselves as Britney Spears impulsively buying right up to the holiday

• 20% identified with Homer Simpson -- "Doh! It's Christmas/Hanukkah?"

• 15% believed they were most like Oprah Winfrey -- "I buy gifts all year round and give to close friends/family, plus the underprivileged"

• Interestingly, Martha Stewart ("I have every gift wrapped and labeled with a nametag by Halloween" and Donald Trump ("I have my secretary/assistant take care of all of my holiday shopping), were the least likely personalities.

In North America, Office Depot has 923 retail stores.