The perkiest investors’ perks – from discounted cars to free booze, chocs and breakfasts

Many companies offer incentives for investors who buy shares or help fund equity campaigns. The home delivery expert Parcelhero – which is itself offering a reward scheme for investors in its new business logistics platform – reveals some of the most attractive and unusual investors’ perks of recent years.

Shareholders and investors don’t put their money into businesses out of the kindness of their hearts. They hope to see their investments rise in value and, perhaps, receive a handsome dividend as well. However, in a bid to receive funding or maintain their market position, some companies have gone above and beyond in extra inducements.

From free chocolate and breakfasts to boozy events and onboard credit on a cruise, shareholders and investors can enjoy some amazing freebies if they choose the right investments, says the home delivery expert Parcelhero. It has launched its own exciting reward scheme for investors as part of its equity funding campaign on the fundraising platform Floww. It is targeting investment in its new B2B SaaS platform, Parcelhero Pro.

Parcelhero’s Head of Consumer Research, David Jinks M.I.L.T., says: ‘The main reason individuals and investment companies buy stocks or put money directly into companies is to make money through capital gains or dividends. However, a number of companies offer other inducements that certainly help gain attention.

‘Indeed, a wealthy investor could wake up to a free hotel breakfast, climb into their hugely discounted new car, shop for significantly discounted new clothes and end their day by eating free luxury chocolates while reading a heavily discounted book or, perhaps, take off on a cruise with free onboard credit.

‘Here’s Parcelhero’s round-up of some of the very best and most eye-opening investors’ incentives of recent times. Not all are still available and not all the companies we mention are listed on the UK stock market, but they give a good idea of the potential perks that await investors, angels and the more materialistic alike!

Whitbread’s best: ‘Whitbread, which no longer brews beer but, instead, owns a number of hospitality businesses, offered qualifying shareholders free breakfasts in Premier Inns. It also offered a 10% discount on its restaurants for people with a shareholder benefit card.

Ford’s Focus: ‘In the US at least, qualifying shareholders could participate in Ford’s “Friends & Neighbors” Special Vehicle Pricing Privilege scheme. New vehicles could be purchased for just 4% above employee pricing. Potentially, that was a deal worth thousands of dollars to its stockholders.

Whatever Next: ‘The fashion chain Next offered its qualifying stockholders 25% discount against one purchase once a year.

Lindt’s sweet treat: ‘The luxury chocolate maker Lindt & Sprüngli AG gave a gift box to qualifying shareholders who voted during its annual meeting in Switzerland.

Bloomsbury’s magic offer: ‘Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, publishers of the famous Harry Potter series, offered its qualifying shareholders a 35% discount on its books.

Associated British Food’s tasty perk: ‘There was a mystery offer for qualifying ABF shareholders who attended its AGM. They received a free gift worth around £30.

Cruise credit: ‘Carnival Cruise Line (which owns companies such as Holland America Line and Princess Cruises), Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean all kept their qualifying investors buoyant by offering onboard credit of between $50 and $250, depending on the length of their cruise.

Brewers’ bonuses: ‘We should also toast a number of breweries’ special shareholder perks. Fullers, Mitchells & Butlers, Shepherd Neame and Youngs have all offered qualifying shareholders various discounts on drinks and food (and accommodation where applicable). Until the mid-’80s, Youngs also offered a free lunch with unlimited drinks to its shareholders. Cheers!

‘A number of these or very similar perks may still be available for investors who qualify. Parcelhero also has an attractive investors’ rewards scheme for individuals and organisations backing its equity funding campaign on Floww, the internationally respected fundraising and investment platform. Subject to conditions, investors can receive the following rewards:

15% off Parcelhero services for 12 months for investments of £2,500 to £24,999
20% off Parcelhero services for 12 months for investments of £25,000 to £74,999
25% off Parcelhero services for 12 months for investments of over £75,000
‘The Parcelhero Group has already outpaced all its competitors with 21% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in revenue between 2019 and 2022, making it the UK’s fastest-growing logistics comparison group.

‘Parcelhero is looking to achieve initial funding of £700k to ensure Parcelhero Pro’s successful market debut. For the first time in its history, it is offering investors a chance to back this established, highly profitable logistics business. For further information or to register your interest, see the investors page at https://www.parcelhero.com/fundraising-2024