Stock Yards Research Reveals Business Customers Want Holiday Gifts They Can Enjoy at Home Like Great Restaurant Quality Steaks

November 11, 2009 2:00 PM EST

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Recent research shows that business customers prefer a holiday gift they can share with their family and friends. And, most customers would like to receive flavorful top quality USDA prime steaks like those served at top tier steak restaurants.

Despite the economy, both small and large businesses across the country are still planning to send their best customers holiday gifts in 2009. While holiday gift giving has become a tradition in the business world, over half of those receiving gifts from companies or suppliers report they are disappointed by what they receive and most want something they can share with their family.

A new study shows 53 percent of business customers are disappointed with the holiday business gifts they receive and 79 percent report the best business gifts are those that can be enjoyed by the families. Over two-thirds - 70 percent - would prefer top quality and flavorful USDA prime steaks instead of a basket of treats such as candy, cookies, fruit or popcorn which they feel they have to share with co-workers.

The holiday gift giving research focused on American perceptions about steaks as well as public perceptions on a variety of topics that are of interest to consumers. The survey -- commissioned by Stock Yards, which offers the world's finest steaks -- was designed by Strategic Intent, a consumer research company, and fielded by Synovate, a global market intelligence company.

"Finding the right business holiday gift that acknowledges and expresses appreciation to employees, clients and customers is an annual challenge for many firms. When handled appropriately, the impact for your business can be very beneficial," said Wesley Ball, Director, Retail Business, Stock Yards. "The holiday season is always a time for families to enjoy being together. Giving a gift that can be shared and is the highlight of a special meal goes a long way in building and personalizing a business relationship," he added.

"The research confirms that the holiday business gift choice can be really quite simple - people would prefer outstanding restaurant quality steaks that they can make the centerpiece of a Holiday meal," Ball confidently said.

"Cookies, popcorn and candy are soon forgotten," Ball said. "We're offering meat that is aged for tenderness and flavor that provides a home dining experience they won't soon forget."

The Stock Yards survey also found that more than four-fifths of Americans - want high quality, flavorful beef at home like that served at top tier steak restaurants.

According to Ball, both wet-aging and dry-aging contribute to the flavorful taste and tenderness of the steaks they supply to the nation's finest steakhouses, restaurants and directly to consumers. Stock Yards' steaks come from the finest breeds of cattle selected from Midwestern corn-fed stock. The beef is hand-trimmed by master butchers and expertly aged for maximum tenderness and flavor.

"We know that people want superb, restaurant quality beef for family and holiday dinners and of course for entertaining their friends," Ball said. "We offer a fine dining experience at home by selling consumers top-quality, expertly-aged and flavorful USDA prime steak and chops and delivering them directly to their door."

Since 1893, Stock Yards has provided the highest quality grades of beef including USDA Prime, USDA Choice and Certified Angus(R) Brand to America's finest restaurants, steakhouses, resorts and clubs. Customers include Gibsons, Harry Caray's, Hugo's Frog Bar, Lawry's, Morton's The Steakhouse, Wildfire and other legendary steakhouses and fine restaurants.

The Stock Yards catalog and web site are dedicated to inspiring people to find the most rewarding ways to spend their time and money and make business shopping for the holidays simple. Holiday shoppers can order the same restaurant quality cuts via catalog by calling 877-785-9273 or online at www.stockyards.com.

Survey Background

The 2009 study was conducted online with a nationally representative sample of 1,000 Americans 18 years of age or older. The study has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent at the 95 percent confidence level. The research focused on American perceptions about steaks as well as public perceptions on a variety of topics that are of interest to consumers. It was designed for Stock Yards by Strategic Intent, a consumer research company and fielded by Synovate, a global market intelligence company. The findings are balanced to be representative of the general population based on statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau.

About Stock Yards

Stock Yards offers the world's finest steaks. The company was founded in 1893 at the fabled Chicago Union Stock Yards and today is located at 340 N. Oakley Boulevard in Chicago. In 2000, Stock Yards was acquired by U.S. Foodservice, which is one of America's premier foodservice distributors in the United States. Visit www.stockyards.com for more information.

    Source: Stock Yards

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