Stoner Bunting Gift Cards

e-Gift Cards: A Growing Trend

melissa — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:12:42 +0000

Move over plastic, electronic gift cards are moving up! With more and more consumers relying on mobile technology and adopting that “need it now” mentality, e-gift cards are beginning to make a name for themselves in the gift card world. While they only account for 4% of overall annual gift card sales, nearly 20% of consumers purchased or received an e-gift card in 2011- an increase of 50%*. When taking a look at the numbers, it’s not hard to tell where e-gift cards will be in the next few years. According to Tower Group, virtual gift card sales are projected to reach $8 billion in sales by 2013 and increase to $11 billion in 2014. With social networking sites and the increased use of smart phones, that number will certainly continue to grow.

Besides the increase in sales, why should merchants take advantage of this new gifting concept?

Build customer loyalty- E-gift cards provide an instant, powerful (and easy way to say) “thank you” to loyal consumers.

Attract new customers: By offering e-gift cards, merchants can target a whole new demographic- whether it be a younger age range or a tech-savvy group.

Customer service simplified: With e-gift cards, customer service issues can be immediately resolved by sending an e-gift.

Convenience: With the growth of mobile technology, merchants can immediately present someone with a virtual gift and drive them into their stores even faster. Likewise, companies can reward their employees sooner.

Increased visibility: If a merchant offers e-gift cards, they can partner with other merchants or rewards programs to broaden brand awareness and reward offerings.

Because more exciting developments are sure to come in regards to virtual gifting, this is one product retailers should certainly be considering, or if they currently offer e-gifts, something they should be marketing.

Interested in e-gift cards? Contact our team today for more information!

*According to a First Data Report (http://www.firstdata.com/en_us/insights/perspectives-brant-egifts.html)

The Future of Employee Rewards – Gift Cards

kristin — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:20:25 +0000

Despite its fairly recent introduction into the gifting and incentive industry, gift cards have risen quickly over the last decade to become one of the most favored reward options—atop cash and merchandise, according to a study by Incentive Gift Card Council. Recipients prefer gift card rewards due to the freedom of personalized usage, the thoughtfulness of the givers, and the rewarding feeling upon receiving the cards.

As recipients’ attitudes towards gift cards have positively shifted, companies across all industries have incorporated gift cards into a wide range of corporate incentive programs. The effectiveness and convenience of gift cards has prompted 75% of organizations to use them as an employee rewards option, according Incentive Magazine’s 2011 Gift Card IQ survey.

The most recent 2012 report by Incentive Gift Card Council shows that prepaid cards are perceived as most effective in driving desirable behaviors and outcomes, with 57% of incentive planners ranking gift cards among the most effective options. Compared to cash, merchandise, and verbal recognition, gift cards score significantly higher in terms of giver and user preference.

The availability of providers of full-service gift card and corporate incentive management make gift giving much simpler, faster, and lower in costs. Additionally, employees’ appreciation of rewards in the form of gift cards is not very influenced by their face value. A study by consumer and incentive provider Parago found that 64% of employees would be satisfied with gift cards valued $50 or less. Not only are gift cards high in motivational effectiveness, the opportunity for discounts when ordered in bulk significantly increases the ROI of gift card rewards.

Ok, but do employees only want open-ended cards? The answer is, no.

One of the advantages of branded gift cards according to Bob Dawson, President of i-Myth is that, “branded gift cards are more memorable than cash when they are aimed at what the recipients wants rather than needs. A gift card for a new golf club has to be spent on a golf club, so it’s guilt free. The cash can be spent on groceries, and probably will be.” (source). These days, companies also enjoy a great deal of flexibility to customize the design and denomination of gift cards in order to make them fit with various recipients and opportunities.

It is clear with all of these advantages that gift cards are the future of the rewards and incentive industry. They are a more meaningful and convenient way to reward employees and their economic value will make it hard for companies to go back to traditional cash and or product incentives.

2011 Consumer Insights Study

kristin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:54:41 +0000

There’s no doubt that gift cards have become increasingly popular in the past decade.

First Data is in the process of releasing two white papers making up the “2011 U.S. Prepaid Consumers Insights Study.” The first of these two white papers was released last week and is focused on the gift card industry.

Highlights of the study include:

The average value per closed-loop card increased by $8 over 2010 resulting with an increase in the average amount consumers spent on closed-loop gift cards by $50. Consumers purchased an average of 5 gift cards throughout the year which was unchanged from 2010.

Discount stores, specialty retail stores, fast casual restaurants, department stores and coffee shops still remain in the top 5 retail categories. Fast food restaurants, gas stations/convenient stores, grocery stores, and drug stores all saw an increase in the number of gift cards purchased in 2011 vs. 2010.

Consumers enjoy the convenience of gift cards, with 83% of respondents saying that “gift cards make gift-giving easy”, and more than half said they “save shopping time”.

Gift card malls are becoming increasingly popular because consumers can purchase gift cards at locations they frequent the most throughout the week such as grocery stores and drug stores. In 2011, consumers purchased an average of 4 gift cards at a gift card mall, and 3.5 cards at the specific retailer or restaurant location.

Gift card recipients have a high perceived value of gift cards. According to First Data and Market Strategies International, “gift card recipients perceived gift cards to be significantly more valuable than a traditional gift. When asked whether they would prefer a gift with a value ranging from $20 to $45 vs. a $25 gift card, the vast majority preferred the gift card – even compared to a gift at a higher price point.”

47% of consumers are interested in receiving an e-gift card. Retailers should also keep in mind that e-gift cards allow them to reach the younger consumers in the 18 to 25 year old demographic that are more likely to be up-to-date in the technologies of giving and receiving e-gift cards.

For more information on the First Data study, click here.

The Number One Reason To Save Your Used Gift Card

kristin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:50:17 +0000

Now that the holidays are over and you’ve spent the last of your gift cards, don’t throw away that plastic just yet. Many merchants offer the ability to reload your gift cards and consumers are taking advantage of this feature more than ever. According to First Data Corporation, consumers continued to reload closed loop gift cards in December 2011 with a reload dollar volume growth at 47.0% and transaction growth at 50.9%.

“The holiday season triggered strong use of reloadable gift cards; while the slow down in activation dollars and transactions between November and December may indicate that many consumers purchased their holiday gift cards early,” said Silvio Tavares, SVP and division manager of First Data Global Information and Analytics Solutions. “Further, the continuous growth of gift card reloads in December shows that consumers may have used gift cards to control their own spending even as they took advantage of deep discounts.” For more information on the First Data study, click here.

Several of our clients offer the ability to reload existing gift cards, including those purchased through various scrip programs, which is an easy way for you to support your local fundraising activities throughout the year. Contact us for more information on our clients and how their gift cards can be used for your program needs.

Gift Cards on the Rise

kristin — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:03:43 +0000

According to a recent study by The International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs, gift card spending rose to nearly 18% of total holiday spending in 2011, the highest percentage since 2006 and up from 14.6% last year and 13.1% in 2009.

This is good news – not only for large retailers, but even small companies are seeing gift cards as a tool for increasing sales and gaining new customers.

According to the National Retail Federation’s consumer survey completed in November, holiday shoppers were expected to spend an average of $155.43 on gift cards, the highest sum since 2007 and up from $145.61 last year. Total gift-card spending for the 2011 holiday season was expected to total $27.8 billion.

Much of that increase in gift card sales will be seen via electronic delivery methods such as Facebook, mobile phones and retailer web sites.

About 57% of retailers who offer gift cards expected an increase in gift card sales this past holiday season, up from 47%last year and 32% in 2009, according to accounting and consulting firm BDO’s November survey of retail-industry chief marketing officers.

Many retailers used gift cards as on-the-spot incentives in stores during the height of the shopping season. Teen retailer American Eagle Outfitters Inc. handed out $10 cards with any gift cards purchase, to be redeemed between Dec. 24 and Jan. 25.

For the full article, please click here: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-gift-cards-20111228,0,4887455.story

In the Spirit of Giving

kristin — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:04:02 +0000

As we wind down 2011, we’re reminded of all the wonderful gifts we have received throughout the year personally and professionally. With that, we’d like to give a shout out to some of the merchants we work with who are embracing the spirit of “giving back” to their community this holiday season.

If these initiatives are of interest to you and yours, please click through the links below.

TexasRoadhouse

The Red Cross partners with Texas Roadhouse
http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/story.aspx?id=695651

Stage Stores

“Bears that Care”. Stage Stores will donate a $1 to Toys for Tots for every bear purchased (they will make a minimum donation of $10,000 up to a maximum $150,000.)
http://shop.stagestores.com/kids/toys/stuffed-animals-pillow-pets.html

Logan’s Roadhouse

Logan’s Gives Back for Breast Cancer Awareness
http://logansinthecarolinas.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=6&Itemid=53

Express

Giving@Express supporting Dress for Success and other non-profit initiatives
http://www.express.com/custserv/about.jsp?pageName=Community

Legal Seafoods

From now through New Year’s Eve, Legal Sea Foods will donate a portion of the proceeds from every gift card sold to Children’s Hospital Boston, plus a bonus for you!

CharityChoice

Give the gift of charity, and allow your recipients to choose from over 250 causes. CharityChoice cards are available in plastic or ecodes.
www.charitygiftcertificates.org

Wishing you a warm holiday season, and we look forward to an inspiring and prosperous 2012! See you next year…

The Good News For All This Holiday Season

kristin — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:26:02 +0000

Only 13 more shopping days left in the busiest shopping season of the year! So far it has meant great news for retailers as shoppers shattered spending forecasts on Black Friday and continue to outspend expectations for the 2011 holiday shopping season. That means shopper spending is up, businesses are starting to thrive, and merchants are celebrating a favorable Q4.

This isn’t limited to only merchandise this holiday season—trends are up for all holiday gift items—including gift cards. According to an article by Ceridian (SVS), a leading provider of prepaid gift cards and stored value solutions, retail buying patterns illustrate shoppers are continuing to flock to gift cards for their flexibility, while retailers embrace them as a means to increase sales.

Pre-holiday consumer spending surveys also suggest ‘Happy Holidays’ for gift card sales in the fourth quarter:

- Nearly 60 percent of consumers say Gift Cards are the #1 item they plan to give this year

- Consumers named Gift Cards as the most desired gift to receive this year (5 years in a row)

- Consumers spend an average of 80-90 percent more than the face value of gift cards

- Over 50 percent of U.S.employers use Gift Cards to recognize employees contributions

- Use of Gift Cards as employee incentives is forecast to increase 23 percent by 2012

- 15 percent of U.S.corporations have annual Incentive Gift Card budgets of more than $100K

Great news for retailers who can enjoy the lift that new gift card customers create, fantastic for businesses looking for a gift for a talented staff, and wonderful news for shoppers—who often have more than one “hard to buy for” person on their lists. Gift cards are a positive holiday solution for retailers, businesses, and consumers alike—and that’s the good news for ALL this holiday season!

Sears and Kmart Gift Cards Make a Perfect Addition to Your Scrip Program!

kristin — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 21:40:45 +0000

With the holidays just around the corner, Scrip fundraising is in full swing! Scrip is a great way for schools and other nonprofit organizations to raise money all year long. It’s simple, your school purchases gift cards at a discount to resell to individuals and families in your community at full face value. The price difference funds your organization’s activities (i.e. field trips, tuition, new classroom equipment, etc). What makes Scrip the perfect fundraiser is you’re using gift cards as your form of payment instead of cash, check, or credit/debit to shop in store or online for the things you use everyday or were going to purchase anyway. This year why not add Sears and Kmart gift cards to your selection?

Why you say?

Sears and Kmart gift cards make a great addition to your Scrip program because of all the great products they have to offer, not to mention those top name brands likeKenmoreand Craftsman. Sears & Kmart gift cards are available in denominations from $10-$500 and redeemable at more than 3,500 convenient retail locations and online at Sears.com. Kmart.com, LandsEnd.com, and TheGreatIndoors.com. There are no expiration dates or dormancy fees. Sears & Kmart gift cards are a smart and easy way for everyone to give back to the community without digging deeper into their pockets. If Sears and Kmart gift cards aren’t a part of your scrip program, make sure to add them today!

If your school or nonprofit organization doesn’t have a scrip program, or would like to learn more about scrip programs, please give us a call today at 877-824-3581 or visit us online www.searsbusinessgiftcards.com/fundraising. Let us show you how a scrip fundraising program can help raise money for your organization today

Employee Holiday Gifts

kristin — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:14:25 +0000

Finding holiday gifts for each of your employees can be a challenge as buying individual gifts is not only time consuming but expensive, especially if you have a large group of employees. At this busy time of year, your goal should be to minimize the stress of shopping and optimize your budget by choosing affordable bulk gifts that will be appreciated by all.

According to this article by Ehow Money, gift cards can be the answer. All of our clients have corporate gift card programs that allow employers to buy gift cards in bulk and at a discount for employee gifts. In addition, some of the most popular gifts this year are available by merchants who also have corporate gift card programs including Barnes & Noble who is launching their new Nook Tablet this month in time for the holidays and Sears who offers the increasingly popular Microsoft Kinect Sensor Xbox 360.

By selecting the right gift card and including a handwritten note of thanks to each employee for their contributions during the year, you’ll stay within your budget while making your team feel valued by and possibly more loyal towards the larger organization.

We represent over 25 national brands, all of which offer corporate gift card programs. To learn more about how to buy discounted gift cards in bulk for your employee gifts, click here or call us at 877-447-5429.

Black Friday Shopping Tips

kristin — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:00:01 +0000

Just in case your calendar is buried under your ever-piling stack of to-do’s, the official start of the holiday shopping season is only 9 days away. Like many of us, the thought of holiday shopping hasn’t even crossed our minds (or if it has, the thought of it was just too overwhelming to act on). Lucky for you, we stumbled across some Black Friday shopping tips to ensure you get the best deals, and more importantly, make your big day of shopping day a little easier.

Step 1: Do your research.

Browse through those Black Friday Ads and Flyers. These will be your number one source for Black Friday savings. It will also help you organize your day and maximize savings, since many stores offer special discounts that are time specific. You will also be able to compare pricing on similar products at different retailers.

In addition to investigating the best deals, it’s also helpful to do a little research on the products you are looking to purchase. Being knowledgeable about the products you want to buy will help you avoid being influenced by loud advertising and huge savings for poor products.

Step 2: Decide when to shop.

Some stores offer early bird specials, which usually run from 5 a.m. until 11 a.m. Be sure to check your favorite store’s hours- some may be opening at midnight with even earlier early bird deals. (You know what they say about the early bird…)

Step 3: Decide where to shop.

If you like the thrill of being around hundreds of shoppers and standing in line, then in-store shopping is for you. Some retailers even offer exclusive discounts if you check-in at their location so be on the lookout for those specials as you wait in line. Also, if shopping in-store, make sure to have those ads handy, especially for price-match deals.

If you’d rather stay at home and shop in your PJ’s, you’re in luck! Internet shoppers can join, or even beat the early birds by shopping online in the wee hours of Black Friday. Many retailers offer the option of ordering online and picking-up in store. You may even come across special “web only” deals that may not be available in store.

Step 4: When in doubt, think gift cards!

With all of the once-in-a-life time deals and numerous sales that take place Black Friday weekend, you still may have trouble finding that perfect gift. Cue in: gift cards. Gift cards allow your gift recipient to choose what they want while still remaining personal- a gift card to their favorite store or a gift card with a picture of their pet on the front are always fun and thoughtful options. And even though they may miss using their gift during Black Friday, there are always those post-Christmas sales to take advantage of! And just think…carrying around a gift card all day is much easier than lugging around a 42” television!

Not able to make it out to the stores to buy one? No problem- both plastic and electronic gift cards are available to purchase online and can be delivered directly to your recipient. Black Friday shopping= no sweat!

Happy Shopping!