GiftCard Partners Blog

In today’s fast-paced, mobile-driven world, the convenience of mobile gift cards and the rise of QR codes have revolutionized how businesses connect with consumers. QR codes, those small squares with black and white pixels, have become ubiquitous across industries—from product packaging to restaurant menus—and are increasingly tied to marketing and consumer engagement strategies. As the gift card industry continues to evolve, QR codes offer new opportunities for companies looking to innovate in how they deliver value to customers and employees alike.

The use of mobile phones for utilizing gift cards and making payments has surged in recent years, reflecting a significant shift in consumer behavior. According to recent statistics, 58% of active mobile phone users are now interested in using their devices to redeem gift cards and pay for goods and services. This increase highlights the growing integration of mobile technology in everyday transactions.

GiftCard Partners attended the 2nd annual Prepaid Congress this week, so over the coming week or so we will be posting information from the Congress. E-certifications, are an emerging closed loop gift card technology within the incentive industry that allow retailers to instantly deliver incentives to their customers through either cell phone technology, or online.  According to the Mercator Group 33% of retailers in the U.S. currently offer e-certification incentives.  E-certifications can save incentive companies fulfillment charges, and provide instant gratification to the customers receiving the incentives.  E-certifications are opening up new markets for retailers who are able to participate because e-certifications are opening up new avenues to contact customers and deliver marketing messages.  Some studies even suggest that e-certs are more effective at delivering memorable long lasting marketing messages than physical gift cards.

Today, the Associated press announced: Trenton, N.J.:  A federal judge has temporarily stopped the state of New Jersey with their plan to profit from money left on gift cards. The state worked to legally seize unused money on gift cards and travelers checks. The state's retailers would have been required to begin collecting the zip codes of gift card buyers starting today Tuesday February 1st, 2011. If this effort was not blocked and a gift card has remained unredeemed after two years, the state could seize the money left on the cards if bought by NJ residents. The Associated Press states : "The state expects to raise about $80 million from the unspent cards to help balance the state budget. New Jersey Retail Merchants Association, the New Jersey Food Council and American Express sued to block the law. A federal judge granted the temporary injunction on Monday pending a more detailed review." Are the details of this legal issue of interest to you? Visit Legalbytes.com for more:
http://www.legalbytes.com/2010/08/articles/promotions/gift-cards-in-new-jersey-its-complicated/ A perspective from NJ.com: 
Should New Jersey cash in Aunt Betty’s gift to you?