Prepaid Expo: Social Media Critical to Growth of Prepaid
You are likely either a marketer or involved with the prepaid & gift card industry OR BOTH (like me). We love this video and we love how the Prepaid Expo is looking beyond traditional information sources and prepaid to bring us their take on the next generation of prepaid.
Top Reasons why to use gift cards for incentives
Incentives as a way to boost employee morale, motivation and performance is nothing new, but let’s look at 5 perspectives for why to consider gift cards as incentives. Gift cards are as close as you’ll find for a one-size-fits-all incentive. They truly satisfy all demographics, interests, needs and lifestyles and offer much flexibility for the buyer. 1. Employees want gift cards. According to a recent study by Incentives Magazine, 8 out of 10 employees report that they prefer gift cards over other incentives. 2. Gift cards provide choice. Choice not just in what your recipient selects, but you often have choices in how you give them: eCert, mCert (mobile delivery) or plastic 3. Gift cards can be shared with family and friends. A night out with loved ones of friends has been cut back as discretionary spending, revive the night out with gift cards. 4. Gift cards can fit many corporate needs. Bulk gift card purchases provide cost savings and fit a variety of business scenarios can provide additional cost savings. Use for employee incentives & retention and use as rewards in corporate health & wellness programs, consumer promotions, customer promotions & loyalty, and/or as dealer and reseller awards. Source for list: Ceridian Connection.
Trend Watch: Strong consumer choices = strong rewards and incentive choice
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.
Local Gift Cards – Explore “______” (Insert Your Town)
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.
The Gift Card: A Win-Win for Employees and Employers Alike
Gift Cards are the most popular employee incentives in today’s market. It is easy to forget why so many people use gift cards, so let’s review the advantages experienced both by employers and employees.
Employer Advantages of Gift Cards:
