Gift cards are an increasingly popular option for holiday shopping, offering both convenience and flexibility. They allow recipients to choose exactly what they want while eliminating the need to carry cash. As a result, gift cards have become a favored choice for gift-givers and receivers alike. In fact, the global gift card market is on track to reach an impressive $510 billion by 2025. This growth underscores the value of incorporating gift cards into your Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) sales strategy.

How Gift Cards Work

Gift cards are essentially prepaid cards that can be used at specific stores, brands, or groups of affiliated businesses. Here’s a quick rundown of how they function:

1. Purchase: A customer buys a gift card from your store, loading it with a specific amount of money. 💳

2. Activation: The gift card is activated and ready for use as soon as it’s purchased. 🔓

3. Value: The cardholder can spend up to the amount loaded onto the card. 💵

4. Balance: For e-gift cards, a one-time use code is entered during checkout to redeem the balance. 🛒

Strategies to Boost BFCM Sales with Gift Cards 🎁💰

1. Offer Gift Cards with Purchases

 During BFCM, consider giving a gift card with every purchase, but make it redeemable only during the sale. This strategy not only encourages immediate shopping but also drives repeat visits throughout the sales event. 🎟️

2. Promote Off-Season Gift Cards

 Stand out from the competition by offering gift cards that can be redeemed after BFCM. This approach keeps your brand in mind even after the busy shopping season, encouraging customers to return when things quiet down. 🌟

3. Create Discounted Gift Cards

 Boost sales by selling gift cards at a discount, such as offering a $250 gift card for $200. This not only increases sales during BFCM but also motivates customers to spend more when they return. 🏷️

4. Leverage Email Marketing  

  Promote your BFCM gift cards through email marketing campaigns. Emphasize their convenience and versatility, encouraging subscribers to purchase them for themselves or as gifts. 📧

5. Personalize Gift Cards  

  Target specific customer groups with personalized gift card offers. This strategy can help re-engage lapsed customers and drive additional sales during BFCM. 🎯

6. Offer Discounted Gift Cards for Upcoming Holidays

  Consider selling gift cards at a discount before major holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving, but delay their activation until after BFCM. This tactic prevents them from being used during the sale while still driving pre-holiday sales. 🎄🦃

7. Provide Cashback as Gift Cards 

  Instead of offering steep discounts, consider giving cashback in the form of gift cards. This approach not only helps maintain strong sales figures but also encourages future purchases. 💳💸

8. Run Retention Campaigns 

  Re-engage dormant customers with targeted gift card offers during BFCM. A simple $10 gift card could be enough to bring them back and reignite their interest in your brand. 🔄

9. Secret Campaigns for Top Shoppers  

  Reward your best customers with exclusive offers and higher cash back rewards. This strategy makes them feel valued and motivates them to spend even more during BFCM. 🎁✨

Design Tips for BFCM Gift Cards

To attract more attention during BFCM, design your gift cards with seasonal themes. Use bold colors and festive fonts to make them stand out and appeal to holiday shoppers. 🎨🎉

Incorporating these strategies into your BFCM sales plan can help you maximize the potential of gift cards, driving sales and customer engagement throughout the holiday season.