Staying ahead of the competition means adopting tools that drive customer loyalty, increase revenue, and create memorable brand experiences. One tool that checks all these boxes? Gift cards.
Whether physical or digital, a well-designed gift card program can be your business’s most powerful sales engine. At Jigsaw, we know firsthand how a strong gift card strategy can unlock success for brands of all sizes.
💯 Gift cards are powerful and desirable!
Consumers love gift cards – more than you might think. In fact, recent studies show gift cards are the most desired gift during major holidays, with the global gift card market expected to reach a staggering $2.1 trillion by 2028. But what makes them such a game-changer for businesses?
Gift cards aren’t just another payment method; they’re a marketing tool, customer service touchpoint, and a way to increase sales all wrapped into one. They attract new customers, encourage repeat purchases, and foster brand loyalty, all while offering your business a steady stream of revenue. The potential is limitless.
📈 Gift cards drive revenue beyond their value
One of the standout advantages of gift cards is their ability to boost spending. Most customers don’t stop at the card’s value—research shows that recipients tend to spend significantly more than the card’s balance. In January this year, Tillo research found that 67% of gift card users spend £18.55 more than the value of their gift card. That extra expenditure directly benefits your bottom line.
Even if a customer holds onto a gift card for a while, it’s still a win for your brand. Unused gift cards represent future sales, and businesses can take advantage of promotions or special events to encourage their redemption.
💻 Digital is the future – it’s time to embrace it!
As the world increasingly shifts to digital, gift cards are unsurprisingly following suit. Offering digital gift cards opens up new opportunities for businesses to engage customers across multiple channels, whether through an online store, a mobile app, or even social media. The convenience of instant, digital gifting is attractive to consumers looking for a fast, last-minute option, while businesses benefit from increased reach and ease of distribution.
Digital doesn’t have to mean impersonal. Today’s digital gift cards can be fully customizable, allowing customers to add personal messages, photos, or even custom designs to make the gift feel special. At Jigsaw, a lot of the brands we work with have seen animated gift cards boost their sales – another way for customers to customise (and personalise) their gift cards. Finally, the sustainability factor is an added bonus, reducing the need for physical materials and packaging.
🤩 There are lots of gift card trends to jump on board with
Gift cards aren’t just for birthdays and holidays anymore. The concept of microgifting – small, everyday gifts like a £5 coffee card – has gained popularity, offering businesses even more ways to connect with their customers. Whether it’s a quick thank you or a random act of kindness, microgifting keeps your brand top-of-mind while creating lasting, positive impressions with customers.
At Jigsaw, we’re always on top of the latest trends and innovations, making sure your gift card is perfectly positioned to ride the wave!
💥 Maximising your gift card program with Jigsaw
A successful gift card program is about more than just issuing cards – it requires careful planning, ongoing promotion, and a keen eye on performance. At Jigsaw, we help brands design, implement, and optimise gift card programs that deliver real results. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to scale an existing program, we can provide the tools, expertise, and insights you need.
Here are a few best practices to maximise your gift card program:
- Make them visible: Don’t hide your gift cards. Promote them in-store, online, and across your marketing channels.
- Leverage last-minute shopping: Offer special deals and reminders during key shopping periods to catch the attention of those last-minute shoppers.
- Customise the experience: Offer personalisation options to make the gift card feel like a unique, thoughtful present.
- Track and refine: Regularly assess how your gift card promotions are performing and make adjustments to keep improving.
💭 Conclusion? Time to get started!
Gift cards offer a multitude of benefits for businesses, from boosting revenue to driving customer loyalty. And with digital gifting and microgifting on the rise, there’s never been a better time to build or expand your gift card program.
At Jigsaw, we’re here to help you unlock the full potential of gift cards. Whether you need help with fraud prevention, digital distribution, or strategy development, we’ve got you covered.
Ready to get started? Contact us today and let us help you build a gift card program that becomes a powerful revenue stream for your business.
