Gift Cards - the Gift that Keeps on Giving

It's here - the Christmas buying season. Shoppers are making their lists and checking them twice - and looking for the perfect person-to-gift match. Uncle Joe loves tools, Aunty Pam dies for new shoes. Cousin Mark is into electronics and Granny is just happy to have anything from her dear sweet grandchild.

Around the world, Gift Cards are king of the Christmas season. One of America's top retailers, Best Buy, reports that they sell 70% of its gift cards in the Christmas season. No longer considered the "cop-out gift", a survey done by BIGresearch for the NRF,conducted in early October, found that nearly 55 percent of consumers would like to receive a gift card this holiday season. In the US last year, consumers spent $26.2 billion on gift cards during the holidays, with an average of $40 spent per card. South Africa is quickly following suit.

The benefits of gift cards are obvious. They offer immediate cash sale, with the likelihood of add on purchases; they broaden customer base, working as a classified endorsement from one customer to another; they reduce the amount of returned merchandise, especially around the holiday season, as the receiver is guaranteed to receive the items they want.

Adding a twist to the standard gift card can also increase sales. Multiple options, from custom design to personalization at point of purchase, even as far as the ability to print the card givers photo on the card - all of these options are possible through the products and services offered by Cards Plus. We can even help with quick turnaround on smaller volumes.

So, think out of the "gift box" this year - consider adding a special Christmas gift card to your holiday items - and watch your sales totals increase!