25 Clever Gift Card Marketing Ideas to Maximize Sales

Looking for a sales boost this holiday shopping season? Consider these gift card marketing strategy ideas (at checkout, on your website, and via your email list).

Here’s why:

Gift cards are a powerful revenue generator for retailers, especially when the holidays roll around. This year, according to Business Wire, shoppers are all set to put nearly half – 48% – of their holiday spending toward gift cards.

So where to start? If you want to capitalize on holiday gift certificate sales, you need a solid marketing plan. Gift card marketing tactics like pre-season campaigns, social media promotions, and in-store displays can help you generate a sales lift.

Fortunately, there are tons of easy ways to advertise gift cards to your customers.

Need some inspiration? We’ve got 25 effective gift card marketing ideas for the holiday season (as well as a quick guide to selling gift cards in FTx POS).

Understanding Gift Card Marketing

Gift card marketing involves the strategic use of gift cards to drive sales and customer engagement. Whether physical or digital, these cards serve as prepaid vouchers that customers can redeem for products or services. They not only cater to convenience-seeking consumers but also act as effective promotional tools for businesses.

Current trends reveal that consumers are increasingly opting for digital gift cards due to their ease of use and quick delivery. Also, personalized gift cards, which allow customers to add special messages or select unique designs, are gaining popularity. By aligning your gift card strategies with these consumer preferences, you can tap into a lucrative market segment.

Aligning your gift card marketing efforts with your overall business goals is essential for ensuring consistency and maximizing the effectiveness of your campaigns. A well-integrated gift card strategy not only strengthens brand loyalty but also attracts new customers and encourages repeat purchases, amplifying your brand’s reach and impact.

Why You Should Sell Gift Cards [Key Benefits of Gift Card Marketing]

Integrating gift cards into your business strategy can unlock a host of benefits that drive growth, enhance customer engagement, and streamline operations.

Here’s why selling gift cards is a game-changer for any business:

Increased Sales and Revenue

Gift cards are a proven way to boost sales and revenue, offering immediate financial benefits.

Immediate Cash Flow

When customers purchase gift cards, you receive cash upfront, even before the actual sale occurs. This immediate infusion of funds can improve your business’s cash flow and support operational expenses.

Boosting Average Transaction Value

Gift card recipients often spend more than the card’s value, leading to increased average transaction values. This phenomenon, known as “uplift,” allows your business to capitalize on additional sales opportunities.

Customer Acquisition and Loyalty

Gift cards serve as powerful tools for attracting new customers and fostering loyalty among existing ones.

Attracting New Customers

Gift cards act as incentives for new customers to try your products or services. They provide a risk-free introduction to your brand, encouraging potential customers to make their first purchase.

Enhancing Customer Loyalty

By offering gift cards as rewards for loyal customers, you can strengthen their connection with your brand. Loyalty programs that incorporate gift cards encourage repeat purchases and long-term brand commitment.

Marketing Opportunities

Gift cards present unique marketing opportunities that can drive engagement and boost brand visibility.

Seasonal Promotions

Use gift cards during holiday seasons and special occasions to attract more customers. Limited-time promotions and exclusive offers tied to gift cards can create a sense of urgency and excitement. One notable example is Chili’s, which offers a popular promotion during the holiday season: for every $50 spent on gift cards, customers receive a $10 bonus card.

Social Media Engagement

Maximize the potential of social media platforms by coming up with gift card giveaway or contest ideas. Inspire your audience to actively engage by sharing their unique experiences with your brand, enhancing organic reach and elevating brand awareness.

Encourage followers to share their experiences, like a recently engaged woman showcasing her engagement ring and mentioning the jewelry store where her fiancé bought it on her social media page. This not only strengthens the brand’s relationship with the customer but also encourages her to share her story, amplifying the brand’s visibility and appeal to her network.

Data Collection and Insights

Gift card transactions provide valuable data and insights that can inform your marketing strategies and business decisions.

Reduced Refunds and Exchanges

Gift cards minimize the risk of refunds and exchanges, as recipients have the freedom to choose their preferred products. This not only reduces operational costs but also enhances customer satisfaction.

Flexible Marketing Tool

Gift cards can be used as versatile marketing tools for various promotions and campaigns. Whether it’s a limited-time discount or a “buy one, get one” offer, gift cards can be customized to fit different marketing goals.

Versatility and Customization

Gift cards offer flexibility and customization options that cater to different customer preferences.

Flexible Offerings

Gift cards can be tailored to suit different price points and occasions. From reloadable cards to digital e-gift cards, businesses can offer a variety of options to meet customer demands.

Personalized Gifting Experience

Allow customers to personalize their gift cards with custom messages or designs. Personalized cards add a thoughtful touch and enhance the overall gifting experience.

Streamlined Operations

Integrating gift card programs into your operations can streamline processes and reduce overhead costs.

Easy Integration with Ecommerce

Gift cards seamlessly integrate with ecommerce platforms, making it convenient for customers to purchase and redeem them online. This integration enhances the online shopping experience, increasing customer satisfaction.

Minimal Operational Costs

Implementing a gift card program requires minimal upfront investment with low operational costs. The process is relatively simple, involving point-of-sale integration and basic marketing materials.

Improved Brand Awareness

Gift cards serve as a powerful branding tool, enhancing the customer experience and promoting brand recognition.

Enhanced Customer Experience

Gift cards provide a convenient and flexible way for customers to purchase and enjoy your products. This seamless experience fosters positive brand associations and contributes to customer retention.

Sell More Gift Cards. FTx POS includes tools to help you manage, sell, and market gift cards. Watch a demo now!

25 Effective Gift Card Marketing Ideas

Now that we’ve explored the benefits of gift cards, let’s dive into 25 creative ideas to give gift cards to maximize their potential.

1. Strategic Signage

One of the most popular gift card marketing ideas is using eye-catching signs in-store and online to promote your gift cards. Highlight their benefits and showcase them as perfect gifting options.

Whether you’re using digital signage or traditional printed displays, use your signs to encourage gift card sales. You don’t have to go crazy with the design. A message at the register as simple as “Gift Cards Available Here” can be effective.

2. Design to Sell

Rather than using the same gift cards all year long, consider a holiday-themed design. To create eye-catching looks, consider these card design tips:

• Incorporate branded elements like your logo.
• Keep it uncluttered.
• Choose a dark background with high contrast elements.
• Think about a two-sided design.

If you can make it artful and vivid, shoppers may feel more comfortable giving your card as a gift. And generally, plastic cards perform better. Some estimates suggest they outsell paper gift certificates by 35-50%.

3. Display Your Cards

I know what you’re thinking: How can I attractively display a gift card? But here’s the thing: product placement matters.

According to one study of grocery shoppers, 38 percent purchased an item they weren’t considering because it was prominently displayed.

With gift cards, try these tricks:

• Use a display rack at the register – super easy and effective.
• Create an endcap display with signage. Here’s a great example of a retail holiday gift card display.
• Consider the packaging of your gift cards. A premium package makes the gift more memorable and enticing to gift givers. It also offers a chance to add messaging.

Bottom line: point-of-sale merchandising works. Combing thoughtful signs with a display can help to drive sales and make it easier for customers to buy a gift card.

4. Start Marketing Early

Begin promoting gift cards well in advance of peak seasons, such as holidays and special occasions. By starting your marketing efforts early, you ensure that your audience is fully aware of the gift card option and its benefits. This proactive approach not only increases visibility but also allows potential customers time to consider gift cards as convenient purchasing solutions for their friends and family.

Start your marketing ASAP. Here are some gift card marketing ideas:

• Try an email marketing campaign to generate awareness in early November.
• Use social media to help build awareness and start your marketing after Halloween.
• Incorporate your in-store signage a week or two before Black Friday.
• Update your receipt marketing messages in early November.
• Then, as Black Friday approaches, you can start email and push campaigns to drive sales.

By the time the holiday shopping season is in full swing, your regular customers should be aware of your gift card promotions. Then, you can start with some in-store upselling at the register to remind them and drive sales.

5. Employee Incentives

As the holidays approach, start to incorporate upselling at the register. Encourage employees to suggest a gift card purchase to your customers.

This will help you generate awareness as well as drive sales. And it doesn’t have to be pushy. An informative “just a reminder that we offer holiday gift cards” is enough to keep it top of mind for customers.

One tip that really works: Entice your employees with upselling incentives. With FTx POS, you can add a gift card prompt to the check-out screen. This will provide your employees with a pitch to share with shoppers.

Within the POS, employees can then keep track of the number of gift card sales. And you can even offer employees a percentage of this revenue as an incentive.

6. Loyalty Program Integration

Network with your rewards customers to generate interest. There are a few ways you can do this:

• Reward holiday shopping – Drive seasonal sales by offering a gift card promotion to shoppers. This would be something like “Spend $X and get a $X gift certificate.”
• Stoke sales – Although this won’t directly result in gift card sales, the holidays are perfect for re-engagement campaigns. You can use a small gift certificate promo to get loyalty customers to return. An example would be: “Shop this holiday season and save, here’s a $10 gift card to use before Christmas.”
• Use urgency – Send push notifications. If you’re using the Loyal-n-Save app, use push notifications to get the word out about holiday gift cards. For example, as Christmas Eve approaches, you could send a last-minute gift card pitch to your audience.

7. Seasonal and Special Occasion Promotions

Create enticing limited-time offers or discounts on gift cards during key seasonal sales or special occasions such as holidays, birthdays, or anniversaries.

These promotions effectively tap into time-sensitive buying behavior, encouraging customers to make purchases as gifts for loved ones or for themselves during festive times.

8. Bundling Offers

Bundle gift cards with popular products or services to create attractive packages that add value.

This strategy not only encourages customers to buy gift cards but also promotes cross-selling, ultimately boosting both gift card sales and the sale of bundled items, making it a win-win for your business.

9. Social Media Campaigns

Run creative and engaging social media campaigns dedicated to promoting gift cards. Use eye-catching visuals and dynamic content to capture attention.

Engage your audience with relevant hashtags, exciting contests, and opportunities for user-generated content that allows customers to share their experiences and showcase their gift card purchases.

10. Email Marketing Strategies

Leverage the power of email marketing to directly reach your subscribers with exclusive gift card promotions.

Craft compelling emails that offer limited-time discounts, early access to gift card sales, or unique promotional events that drive engagement and encourage your audience to take action.

11. In-Store Promotions

Promote gift cards prominently within your physical store using eye-catching displays, signage, or special in-store promotions.

Consider offering attractive discounts or bonuses for customers who purchase gift cards in-store, enhancing the shopping experience while driving additional sales.

12. Collaborations and Partnerships

Partnering with complementary businesses or influencers to co-promote gift cards can be a powerful strategy for both parties.

By leveraging each other’s audiences, you can effectively tap into new markets and reach potential customers who may not have been aware of your brand.

This collaborative approach not only expands your reach but also introduces your brand to fresh demographics and consumer bases.

13. Giveaways and Contests

Organize exciting giveaways or contests where gift cards are featured as prizes.

Encourage participants to engage with your brand, share their experiences on social media, and spread the word to their networks, which can help amplify your brand’s visibility and attract new customers.

14. Re-Engagement Campaigns

Send targeted re-engagement emails to past customers, offering enticing special gift card promotions designed to reignite their interest.

These campaigns can effectively encourage repeat purchases from customers who may have drifted away, reminding them of the value your brand provides.

15. New Collection Launches

Tie the promotion of gift cards to the launch of new product collections.

Offering a gift card with the purchase of a new item can entice customers to explore your latest offerings while incentivizing them to buy more to take advantage of the promotion.

16. Thank-You Campaigns

Show appreciation to loyal customers with thoughtful thank-you campaigns that include gift cards as tokens of gratitude.

This personal touch can strengthen customer relationships and enhance brand loyalty, making customers feel valued and recognized.

17. Acquisition Campaigns

Run targeted acquisition campaigns aimed at potential customers, presenting gift cards as an attractive incentive to try your products or services.

This strategy can effectively draw in new clientele who are curious to explore what you have to offer.

18. Referral Programs

Incorporate gift cards into your referral program by rewarding customers who successfully refer new clients. This strategy incentivizes satisfied customers to share your brand and creates a sense of community and loyalty.

By offering gift cards, you provide tangible rewards that enhance the customer experience and encourage word-of-mouth marketing. Happy customers become your best advocates, sharing their positive experiences while enjoying the benefits of your program.

This approach attracts new clients and strengthens relationships with existing customers, leading to increased engagement and sales.

19. VIP Customer Recognition

Acknowledge your VIP customers by offering them exclusive gift card promotions or special discounts that truly highlight their loyalty to your brand. Consider creating personalized gift cards that reflect their preferences or past purchases, making the gesture feel even more special.

Implementing tiered loyalty programs can also further enhance their experience, giving them access to unique perks such as early access to new products or invitations to special events.

Making these customers feel genuinely appreciated not only strengthens their connection with your brand but also encourages them to continue their patronage, ultimately enhancing their overall satisfaction and fostering long-term loyalty.

20. Time-Bound Promotions

Create a sense of urgency with time-limited gift card promotions that prompt customers to act quickly and take advantage of exclusive offers.

By implementing strategies that highlight the limited availability of these gift cards, you can encourage customers to make swift decisions. Offering short-term discounts or enticing bonuses, such as extra value for each gift card purchased, can significantly stimulate impulse purchases.

This approach not only drives immediate sales during your promotional period but also fosters a sense of anticipation among customers, making them more likely to share the promotion with friends and family, further amplifying your reach and impact.

21. Upsell Opportunities

Use gift cards as valuable upsell opportunities at checkout to enhance the customer experience.

By strategically suggesting that customers purchase a gift card alongside the other items they are buying, you not only provide them with a convenient gift option for friends or family but also encourage them to explore additional products in your store.

This approach not only enriches their overall shopping experience but also significantly increases your average transaction value.

Gift cards can serve as a thoughtful addition to their purchase, allowing customers to return later and explore more of what your business has to offer.

22. Influencer-Led Campaigns

Collaborate with influencers in your niche to effectively promote gift cards to their engaged followers.

Working with these influencers lets you use their trusted connections with their audience. Their support boosts your brand’s credibility and introduces your products to new people interested in what you offer.

This strategy can enhance brand visibility, drive traffic to your offerings, and ultimately lead to increased sales, as followers are more likely to consider products recommended by someone they admire and trust.

23. Special Discounts

Consider offering special discounts or bonuses for a limited time when purchasing gift cards. This strategy not only creates a sense of exclusivity and urgency but also incentivizes customers to act quickly to take advantage of the deal.

By emphasizing the limited-time nature of a promotion, you can encourage potential buyers to make a purchase sooner rather than later, ultimately driving sales and enhancing customer engagement.

24. Host Anniversary Sales

Celebrate your business’s anniversary in style by hosting special gift card promotions that not only mark the occasion but also engage your customers.

Consider offering enticing discounts or bonuses with every gift card purchase, such as a percentage off the next purchase or an additional bonus card for future use.

This strategy not only creates excitement around your anniversary but also encourages customers to partake in the celebrations, fostering a sense of community and appreciation for their loyalty.

25. Customer Retention Programs

Integrate gift cards into your customer retention programs to reward brand loyalty.

Offering gift cards as incentives not only shows appreciation for your loyal customers but also encourages them to keep engaging with your brand. This strategy builds long-term relationships, boosts customer satisfaction, and increases the chances of repeat business.

Also, gift cards can promote word-of-mouth marketing, as satisfied customers are likely to share their positive experiences with friends and family, further expanding your customer base.

How to Sell Gift Cards in FTx POS

Here’s one rule to remember about gift card marketing: Make it simple. Customers want to purchase a gift card and be in and out in a couple of minutes. And your marketing messages should reflect this easy process.

But keeping it simple also means you have to make sure your staff is trained and knows how to properly ring up a gift card.

Fortunately, selling gift cards in FTx POS is simple. Here are the essential steps:

Type in the amount you will be adding to the gift card.

Then, select “Gift Card Sale.”

This will prompt you to enter, scan, or swipe the gift card.

After you enter, scan, or swipe the card, cash out the transaction.

The transaction is done.

Additionally, in FTx POS, you can check the card balance. Click “Gift Card Balance,” and then you swipe, scan, or key in the gift card number. The balance will appear on the screen.

Gift Card Analytics

Within Control Center, you can see all of the active and inactive gift cards you have sold. This is helpful information to measure your gift card marketing efforts.

To navigate to gift card analytics in Control Center:

Select “Point of Sale.”

Then, “Maintenance.”

Then, “Gift Cards.”

Here you can see gift card transactions, print reports on sales, deactivate a gift card, set an expiration date, and more. You can also manually create a gift card.

To manually add a gift card, select “Add New.”

You can then add a customer name (if the customer is in your database), add a balance, enter the card number manually, and then activate the card.

Purchasing Custom Gift Cards

We offer custom-printed scannable gift cards to our customers. Contact us now for the latest pricing.

You can add a few different options for cards, including:

• Magnetic stripes – For card swipes at the POS terminal
• Barcode – For easy scanning
• QR codes – For easy scanning

Start Marketing Holiday Gift Cards Today with FTx POS

The holiday shopping season moves fast. If you aren’t ready, you can miss out on opportunities. Fortunately, FTx POS makes it easy to sell and market gift cards.

Our all-in-one POS offers tools that can help, including:

• Barcode scanning (for barcoded cards)
• Upselling prompts with FTx Uplift
• Digital signage and customer-facing displays
• Digital gift cards
• Ecommerce for selling gift cards online
• Customer loyalty integration

Elevate Your Holiday Sales! Discover how FTx POS can supercharge your gift card strategy and keep customers coming back for more! Contact us today and let us transform your business!