GiftCard Partners Blog

The side hustle is no longer a fringe activity; it’s a defining part of the modern workforce. According to SurveyMonkey’s Workplace Culture and Trends report, nearly three in four employees (72%) either have a side hustle or are considering one. While side hustles can spark creativity and growth, they also present challenges for employers — from retention risks to engagement gaps.

Prepaid and gift cards sales are amplified with new activity as technology paves the way to better than expected growth. Mercator Advisory Group recently reported that all segments of closed-loop prepaid exceeded their previous forecasts for 2010. In-store gift cards were forecasted at 4% growth for 2010, but total load volume hit $84.6 billion, up 10% from $76.9 in 2009. The B2B gift card market realizes much of this growth via gift card categories like digital-content (online games and social networking credit) and prepaid mobile; gift cards received more loads for these digital-content activities. Retailers are also doing a better job of integrating their gift cards with loyalty programs and other consumer promotions, which catches the attention of potential incentive and rewards buyers. “Loads on employee and partner incentive closed-loop cards increased 10% and loads on consumer-incentive cards also grew 10%”, states Digital Transactions in their Mercator report overview:
Buoyed by Gift Cards, Closed-Loop Prepaid Grew Faster Than Expected in 2010 “On the whole, what we’re seeing is even the closed-loop market is showing some resilience in the face of the economy,” Jackson says. Consumers seem to be recognizing the true value of their gift cards, and “many retailers are doing a better job of integrating their gift cards with loyalty programs and other promotions, Jackson says. “They’re realizing that gift cards are not just a plastic version of paper gift certificates,” he says. Source:
Digital Transactions: Buoyed by Gift Cards, Closed-Loop Prepaid Grew Faster Than Expected in 2010
 

As employers look for more effective ways to engage their workforce, reduce healthcare costs, and boost morale, corporate wellness programs continue to evolve. One standout example comes from Xceed Financial Credit Union, where leadership built a holistic wellness initiative that blends traditional health goals with community and personal development.

The B2B gift card landscape has continued to evolve rapidly, with the first quarter of 2024 presenting new trends and insights that are reshaping the industry. The holiday season of 2023 was particularly robust, exceeding our expectations in both consumer and corporate sectors. This report provides a comprehensive look at the latest trends, statistics, and projections for 2024, based on recent market data and our proprietary survey results.

Green Stamps were introduced in 1896 as the world's first customer loyalty program and well ... people still like free stuff or want a really great deal. Buy one get one free, frequent flier miles,