Father’s Day 2019 is Sunday, June 16 and spending is expected to reach a record high of $16 billion. Coresight Research has selected five innovative companies to encourage gifting for today’s contemporary father. Personalized Gifts Lead to Happy Customers and Help Reduce Returns Companies are innovating around personalizing gifts because consumers respond favorably to products that are selected specifically for them. According to research from Accenture and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), 63% of consumers want personalized recommendations and services. Additionally, companies report that personalized and customized products cut returns. Companies are simplifying the personalization process to make it more efficient and seamless for consumers: Consumers no longer have to wait a long time for custom-made and personalized products. Here are two examples: Same But Different (Formerly Thursday’s Finest) is a New York-based 3D knitting, on-demand, made to order company that knits socks, balaclavas, beanies, knit ties, bows and sweaters. The company requires only that consumers provide measurements to custom knit an apparel product on-demand. It customizes orders based on size and personalizes products with the consumers favorite colors and text. The company also produces dramatically less waste, because the company produces on-demand, does not carry any inventory, and products are made in the US. [caption id="attachment_90055" align="aligncenter" width="720"] Same But Different (Formerly Thursday’s Finest) offers personalized apparel
Source: Company website [/caption]  

• GiftNow lets customers choose products as gifts for recipients and then sends the items in digital form. The giver provides the recipient’s phone number or email address, the company sends a link the recipient uses to accept and then personalize the gift – including size, color or style — or even exchange it before it is shipped. GiftNow offers both the experience and surprise that come with receiving a real gift, while also allowing gift givers the flexibility to deliver gifts instantly – and for recipients to personalize the product, which can dramatically reduce returns. GiftNow works with many retail operators including Target, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Uniqlo, Coach and Michael Kors.

[caption id="attachment_90056" align="aligncenter" width="720"] GiftNow offers personalized gifts that are delivered instantly
Source: Company website [/caption]   Subscriptions Offer Regular Replenishment and Curated Boxes Subscription boxes are trending in the retail industry: Retailers are using subscription boxes as a way to test new products, while consumers get greater convenience and customized products. The ease and efficiency of receiving new replenishment products on a fulfillment basis is helping fuel the success. Some examples include:

• MYRO offers a plant-based, refillable subscription deodorant service. The company allows consumers to change scents, deodorant case color, and the deodorant is delivered every three months. The deodorant is also natural and environmentally friendly: made from barley powder and essential oils that release scent over time, no aluminum, parabens, phthalates or talc. The deodorant case uses 50% less plastic than drugstore deodorants.

[caption id="attachment_90057" align="aligncenter" width="720"] MYRO offers plant-based, refillable subscription deodorant
Source: Company website [/caption]  

• Birchbox Grooming (formerly Birchbox Man) lets customers personalize subscription boxes by selecting grooming preferences and specific needs so the company can curate relevant samples each month. The subscription box ships with five samples a month, including haircare, skincare and shaving products. For an extra $10 per month, consumers can join Birchbox Plus, which offers additional handpicked lifestyle item such as a tech gadget or accessory such as a hat or pair of socks. Birchbox recently partnered with Walgreens.

[caption id="attachment_90058" align="aligncenter" width="720"] Birchbox Grooming, monthly subscription service
Source: Company website [/caption]   Men are Interested in (Pampered) Grooming Products Sales of male grooming products totaled $8.9 billion in the US in 2018, according to Euromonitor International, and are expected to grow to $10.6 billion by 2023, a 3.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Consumers are showing increased interest in skincare and haircare – with an emphasis on pampering products and clean, natural grooming products.

• OneBlade created a single blade razor. The company claims that its blades are used for surgical equipment and are made with high-quality Japanese steel. The company spent a year to design its single-edge shaving system. The company said its mission is to “put the barbershop experience” into a man’s hands.

[caption id="attachment_90059" align="aligncenter" width="720"] OneBlade men’s razors
Source: Company website [/caption]