GiftCard Partners Blog

Daily deal sites are increasingly popular with consumers across the country, however they are posing increasing problems with the retailers who offer these "too good to be true" deals.  Be careful how your company interacts with daily deal sites so they attract more customers, and don't cost your business too much potential revenue.  For example, if you give gift cards away at a discount is that too much free money? Here are some tips to success in the daily deal arena:

Cutting edge technology is top of mind for companies who provide gift cards in their programs. Here are a few predictions from CashStar and GCP for how the Digital Age will affect gifting: 1. Instant Communication: The email channel will grow and become a primary means of sending and distributing gift cards. Speed, convenience and cost will drive the transition from plastic to digital. Technologies like QR Codes will merge offline marketing and advertising to accommodate retailers’ need to bridge online and offline and consumers’ need for instant gratification. 2. Social Gifting: We have all heard the buzz about “Facebook Commerce.” As consumers become more comfortable socializing and communicating through social networks, this channel will continue to grow in importance for retailers: first as an engagement tool, primarily, and then as a commerce channel. Retailers who have active, engaged Facebook fans will witness the most growth for their digital gift cards. Smart retailers will also utilize the social channel as a means of acquiring customers and deepening relationships. “Social gifts” and incentives are valuable tools in this milieu. 3. Mobile Gifting: Mobile is an emerging channel that will develop as smartphone penetration (and supplementary technologies like mobile wallets) increases and retailers begin the process of enabling point-of-sale redemption. Retailers will want to make sure their customers’ mobile purchases – and the recipients’ experiences, especially – are as friction free and convenient as possible. So retailers: build or partner wisely. 4. A richer gifting experience: In the digital world the customer experience becomes king. Simply offering a “plastic-like” alternative or a message with a “code” will not impress the savvy, discerning digital consumer. They will want digital personalization options and a friendlier, easier user experience. This is only the tip of the technology iceberg, follow our blog to stay on top. Do you have your own digital age predictions? Post them if you've got them. Source: David Douglas Stone is co-founder and CEO of CashStar, digital gifting and incentives company.

It’s always good news to hear that the reward you are presenting to your employees or loyalty program participants is still the strong choice. A new study released by First Data called “Consumer Insights Gift Card Survey Results”, announced that “prepaid gift cards are still a popular choice for gifts in the United States”. This is good news for those purchasing gift cards in bulk as you know you are making a good choice. Other indications that gift cards remain a strong trend in the B2B market is the study’s conclusion that more consumers are reloading their gift cards. This means that consumers (your employees and rewards participants) are loyal to their cards, be-it a physical plastic card, eCert (virtual gift card) or mCert (mobile gift card). It’s also nice to know that by participating in the B2B gift card market, we are infusing the economy with additional shopping dollars. Consumers are inclined to stand by the gift card and reload it, which increases sales opportunities for retailers. The First Data study also announced that “35% of those who reloaded closed-loop gift cards said they visited the store more often, and 20% said they spent more money during each visit”. All good news for our economy, but re-loadable and technology based gift cards are also great for our environment.
Check out our Are Gift Cards Going Green? Blog. The full study is available at
First Data’s website.

QR Codes, originally created in 1994 by the Japanese corporation Denso-Wave, have become a ubiquitous tool in modern marketing. They effortlessly bridge the gap between physical and digital realms, allowing businesses to deliver messages, coupons, gift cards, or direct links to websites. As their usage continues to rise, let’s explore some innovative ways QR Codes can engage customers and promote products.

Gift Cards for a Local Cause - Sewickley, PA

Downturned since 2007, our economy has left many towns around the country in need of public building refurbishing, amenity face-lifts, main street store tenants, employers…it’s not hard to look around and see how our home-towns have been effected. For many regions and towns, recovery is on its way, while others are in need of fresh ideas and advocates to arouse the local economy.

Historic Sewickley, PA has some pretty passionate advocates looking to breathe life back into their region. They’ve created an “Explore Sewickley” campaign complete with a website, Facebook presence and “Explore Sewickley Gift Cards” to promote shopping at the local shops, boutiques and restaurants. Businesses and corporations can also infuse the local economy, helping local businesses thrive, when they provide local-centric gift cards like these as motivation, incentives and rewards.

What a fresh use of gift cards!

Community Revitalization with Local Gift Cards

In an era where communities are striving to boost their local economies and foster vibrant town centers, the innovative use of gift cards has emerged as a powerful strategy. Local towns and cities across the globe are harnessing the potential of gift cards to attract tourism and drive business to local shops. By offering town gift cards or city-wide gift cards, municipalities are creating opportunities to engage both residents and visitors in exploring all that their communities have to offer, thereby revitalizing local businesses and enhancing community vitality.

These town and city gift cards function as versatile tools, allowing recipients to redeem them at a variety of participating businesses, from charming boutiques to cozy cafes and artisanal shops. This flexibility not only encourages individuals to support local enterprises but also promotes a sense of community pride and connection.

For tourists, these local gift cards serve as gateways to authentic experiences, offering a curated selection of establishments that capture the essence and character of the destination. Whether it's savoring regional delicacies, discovering unique artisan crafts, or immersing oneself in the local culture, town gift cards provide visitors with the opportunity to create lasting memories while supporting the local economy.

Moreover, the widespread adoption of digital gift cards and online platforms has further expanded the reach and accessibility of these initiatives, enabling individuals to purchase and redeem gift cards conveniently from anywhere in the world. This seamless integration of technology into traditional gift card programs not only enhances convenience for consumers but also amplifies the marketing and promotional efforts of participating businesses and local governments.

By leveraging the collective strength of town and city gift cards, communities can cultivate a thriving ecosystem where businesses flourish, residents take pride in their local identity, and visitors are welcomed with open arms. As these initiatives continue to gain momentum, they underscore the profound impact that simple yet innovative solutions can have in shaping the economic and social fabric of our towns and cities.

Through the strategic implementation of town gift cards and city-wide gift card programs, local municipalities have the opportunity to unlock the full potential of their communities, fostering a spirit of collaboration, creativity, and resilience that will endure for generations to come.