Industry Research

Incentive industry and marketplace research has been conducted for more than two decades by the Incentive Federation and its association and foundation members. A more extensive listing of research projects conducted by these organizations may be accessed by visiting their respective websites.

Incentive Federation Research

2022 Incentive Marketplace Estimate Research 

The 2022 Incentive Marketplace Estimate Research Study released by the Incentive Federation (IFI) reveals that 84% of U.S. businesses spend $176 billion annually on award points, gift cards, trips and travel, merchandise, and experiential rewards to reward sales staff, employees, channel partners and customers.

IFI’s study shows the non-cash incentives market grew a remarkable 49% since the last market estimate study in 2016. In addition, 92% of companies with revenues of $5 million or more use at least one form of non-cash incentive program. Gift cards, including digital gift cards, are most prevalently used in all programs, with Award Points the second most used in three of four program types. Trips and travel are used as rewards in sales incentive programs and channel/distributor/partner programs more often than in the other targeted types. Branded Merchandise and logoed merchandise are the most prevalent uses for client gifts, which are used in 75% of companies with more than $1 million in revenues.

2015-16 Incentive Marketplace Estimate Research Reports 17% Growth Since 2013

Conducted in partnership with market research firm Intellective Group of St. Louis, the study measures the expenditures of businesses for non-cash rewards for employees, customers and partners. The results update studies from previous years and provide details about expenditures spent on gift cards, rewards points, travel, and merchandise by corporate America. New this year, the study also focuses on the number of program owners using award points.

The study of a cross-section of US businesses confirms that award points, gift cards, incentive travel, and merchandise are commonly-used tools for firms seeking to reward and recognize their employees, sales teams, channel partners, and customers. Key findings from the study include:
• 84% of U.S. businesses use non-cash rewards to recognize and reward key audiences in the form of award points, gift cards, incentive travel, and merchandise – up from 74% in 2013
• In 2015, U.S. businesses spent $90 billion on these types of non-cash rewards, a 17% increase from $77 billion in 2013

To see the full research report click here

•2015 Incentive Federation Program Design and Support Study Released 

IFI engaged Intellective Group of St. Louis to conduct its 2015 Program and Design Study.  Using a national sample of business stakeholders with at least $1M in revenue, the study aimed to determine the drivers of programs, award types, supplier use and program metrics.  The full study may be reviewed here.  Additional inquiries may be sent to IFI’s Managing Director, Steve Slagle.

–2015 Incentive Federation Program Design and Support Study Waterfall Release #1 – Program Goals and Objectives

IFI has released the first of a series of white papers on its 2015 Incentive Federation Program Design and Support Study.  In this white paper, the Federation focuses on an in-depth analysis of program goals and objectives companies strive to achieve when designing an incentive program.  Review the Program Goals and Objectives white paper here.

–2015 Incentive Federation Program Design and Support Study Waterfall Release #2 – Communication, Technology and Tools

IFI has released the second of a series of white papers on its 2015 Incentive Federation Program Design and Support Study.  In this white paper, the Federation focuses on an in-depth analysis of how companies utilize communication, technology, tools and reporting within their incentive programs. Review the Communications, Technology, Tools & Reporting white paper here.

–2015 Incentive Federation Program Design and Support Study Waterfall Release #3 – Award Program Spending

IFI has released the third in a series of white papers on its 2015 Incentive Federation Program Design and Support Study.  In the latest release, IFI puts the spotlight on program spending.  Click here to learn more.

–2015 Incentive Federation Program Design and Support Study Waterfall Release #4 – Engaging Outside Program Support

IFI has released the fourth in a series of of white papers on its 2015 Incentive Federation Program Design and Support Study.  In the latest release, IFI puts the spotlight on engaging outside program support.  Click here to learn more.

•Incentive Market Study October 2013

•Incentive Merchandise and Travel Marketplace Study August 2007

•Incentive Federation Study May 2005

•Incentive Federation Study June 2003

•A Study of the Incentive Merchandise and Travel Marketplace December 2000

Incentive Marketing Association Research

•B2Bb Gift Card Market Study June 2014.pdf

•B2B Gift Card Market Study October 2013.pdf

•IRF-IMA Participant Study 2015

Incentive Research Foundation Research

Industry Outlook for 2022: Merchandise, Gift Cards and Event Gifting

• Industry Outlook for 2021: Merchandise, Gift Cards and Event Gifting

 Industry Outlook for 2020: Merchandise, Gift Card, and Event Gifting 

 Industry Outlook Study 2019: Merchandise, Gift Card, and Event Gifting

 What Top Performing Firms in the Manufacturing Sector Do Differently for Incentives and Rewards

Top Performer Study: Financial Sector

 Top Performer Study: Technology Sector

Signature Study: 2019 U.S. Federal Regulations and Non-Cash Awards

Signature Study – 2019 Voice of the Market: The Use of Non-Cash Rewards & Recognition

IRF 2021 Trends Report

• IRF 2020 Trends Report

IRF 2019 Trends Study

 IRF 2018 Trends Study

IRF 2017 Trends Study

• IRF 2018 Outlook Study

IRF 2017 Outlook Study

• Ten Things Top Performing Companies Do Differently

• Conscious and Unconscious Reward Preference and Choice: A Biometric Experiment

• Designing for Successes: Effective Design Patterns for Employee and Sales Programs

• Designing for Successes: Effective Design Patterns for Channel Programs

U.S. Federal Regulations and Non-Cash Awards

Promotional Products Association International Research

2019 Consumer Study

 2018 Business Study

• 2018 Sales Volume Study Summary 

• 2017 Sales Volume Study Summary- Part 1 of 2

2017 Consumer Study – Mapping Out the Modern Consumer

Society for Incentive Travel Excellence Research

• Incentive Travel Industry Index Powered by SITE Index, IRF Outlook and FICP 

SITE Index 2017: The Annual Analysis and Forecast for the Incentive Travel Industry

Participants’ Viewpoints of Incentive Travel in the U.S., U.K. and India

Maritz Motivation Solutions

CultureNext Employee Engagement & Recognition Benchmark Study