Every year, the use of gift cards grows in popularity. Unlike many other presents, they may be used for several years and can be digital or actual. But why do they have such a large following?
It’s pretty uncommon for people to offer gift cards as a way of saying “thank you” for something unique. With these helpful cards, gift-giving is no longer a guessing game. Aside from that, the development of e-commerce has raised the demand for shopping incentives, and gift cards are the perfect way to fulfill that need.
The explosive expansion of the gift card market over the previous five years will be the subject of this essay. We’ll also talk about what makes them so popular. They’re a fantastic birthday present for everyone on your list.
The Gifting Cards are Very Popular but Why?
- Gift world found that 55% of customers are interested in getting or purchasing a gift card that may be applied to a mobile-type application in 2018. Gift cards as birthday presents cost the typical American consumer $213.49 annually.
- The most common reason for giving gifts is to celebrate someone’s birthday. People who have been stumped on what to give as a present for more than a decade have turned to gift cards. Prepaid gift cards are included with 68% of birthday presents each year.
- Present cards, strangely enough, were not usually the first option when looking for gift suggestions. Popularity soared in 2016 as a result of a variety of causes.
- The most desired birthday present in 2016 was a gift card.
Open-loop gift cards soared in popularity in 2017, and they now rank as the second most sought-after gift world.
Retailers launched modern-day digital gift cards to go along with e-commerce. More than half (55%) of customers wanted to utilize eGift cards on their mobile apps in 2018.
Because of the 2020 Covid-19 epidemic, gift-givers needed to be creative with their presents. Buying gift cards quadrupled when people couldn’t go shopping in person or when companies were thinking about giving something as a thank you to employees who worked from home or were on vacation.
Gift world cards have become increasingly popular due to various factors, including a growth in demand, a shift in purchasing patterns, and improvements in online shopping.
They’re Safe and Easy to Use.
Expired gift world cards were made illegal in the United States in 2009. As a result, customers felt more comfortable purchasing gift cards knowing they would be helpful. Prepaid gift cards can also be used to save personal cash since they are convenient.
If customers misplace their cash or credit cards, they won’t have any problems using a gift card instead. Seventy-five percent of customers prefer real gift cards because of this. They’re frequently utilized to make up for shortages of cash while making in-person transactions.
Despite the digital era taking over our lives, just 25% of e-commerce shoppers utilize eGift cards annually. To this day, gift cards in the form of paper bills are still a popular choice. This pattern, according to the researchers, is likely to continue.
Owners of retail establishments and marketing professionals Incentivize employees using gift cards. Now, customization has taken on a more personal feel.
A wide range of personalization options is available on numerous websites, from home décor accessories to wall art to necklaces with letters spelling names and framed illustrations of families, to initial-engraved items with personalized notes and custom-made mugs or cushions, personalized pens or calendars, personalized wine glasses, and many more. There are countless examples.
Creating Enduring Impressions
Even when it’s not a holiday or an anniversary, people nowadays give gifts more frequently than ever before. Whatever the occasion, there are more and more occasions to give gifts, such as family reunions, housewarmings, and graduations. A new universe of creativity, inspiration, and kindness has opened up thanks to customization; we may now give a heartwarming gift and create lasting memories.
While companies have used rewards, recognition, and other incentives to keep employees happy, productive, and motivated, corporate gifting has undergone a radical change. To provide clients and employees with the whole R&R experience, newer ways have emerged. It is no longer necessary for companies to think about giving trophies and other tangible presents as a substitute for using technology resources such as gift cards, reward cards, E-vouchers, brand gift cards, and gift cards.
When you buy gift cards from a company’s brand, they’ll advertise loyalty programs, discounts, and other incentives. People became more likely to buy gift cards for others and themselves when presented with such alluring offers.
Online gifting is becoming increasingly popular, thanks in part to the widespread promotion it is receiving on social media. With the help of social media, people become more aware of gift-giving occasions like birthdays and anniversaries, which encourages them to give more and better gifts in the future. Gifts can be sent across large distances and at the last minute, in fact. Several studies have found that when people receive online gifts, they get encouraged to reciprocate by giving gifts of their own. About three-fourths of people who have given gifts on Facebook have also been given something in return. Because of social media, the giving sector is exploding, as evidenced by how quickly it has grown.
If you operate a gift shop and a website, make sure your website is lively, impactful, and educational because it will provide your potential clients a first impression of your store. Aside from that, your website and gift shop should be coordinated. It’s critical that your website and store have a comparable appearance and feel to give customers a seamless shopping experience.
Conclusion
Manufacturers promote gift world gift world cards as a perk for customers. They are grateful for the incentives and go out of their way to get extra gift cards. Store incentives like discounts drove customers to spend 35% of their holiday spending budgets on gift cards in 2019.