Best Practices for Merchandising Gift Cards This Holiday Season

TLDR

The holidays are coming, and that means one thing: gift-giving season is upon us! But before you run off to the store, there are a few things you need to know about gift cards. In this article, we'll teach you the best practices for merchandising gift cards this holiday season. Whether you're selling them online or in your brick-and-mortar store, we've got you covered. So read on for all the tips and tricks you need to know!

Introduction to Gift Cards

Who wouldn't love getting a gift card during the holidays? They're the perfect present for anyone on your list—no need to worry about sizes, colors or whether they like the gift or not.

And it's no wonder that gift cards are so popular during the holiday season. In fact, according to a study by the National Retail Federation, gift cards are the most requested item for the holidays, with almost half of all shoppers saying they want one.

So what can you do to make sure your gift cards get a starring role during the holiday season? Here are some tips to help get you started.

Benefits of Merchandising Gift Cards Online and Offline

When merchandising your gift cards, you want to think about how you can best position them to encourage purchases. There are a few key benefits to online and offline gift card merchandising:

First, when you prominently showcase your gift cards, you reduce the number of returns in the post-holiday season. This is especially beneficial because it can be difficult to exchange or return gifts after the holidays have passed.

Second, when you merchandise your gift cards, you incentivize your customers to buy. This is a great way to increase sales during the holiday season.

Third, merchandising your gift cards provides customer flexibility. This means that customers can choose the gift they want, rather than receiving something they might not use.

Fourth, gift cards have their pros and cons. On the one hand, they offer customer protection in case of loss. On the other hand, customers can overspend if they're not mindful of their gift card balance. It's important to keep this in mind when merchandising your cards.

Ultimately, it's important to update your merchandising strategy regularly and showcase your products in the most effective way possible.

Setting Up Physical Gift Card Displays

If you're setting up a physical gift card display this holiday season, there are a few things you'll want to keep in mind.

For starters, use card and display designs that are festive and fit the season. You may also want to consider using inventory management software to help you track stock and keep an eye on what's selling. And finally, be sure to promote your gift card displays in your store's marketing materials and online.

E-gift cards are becoming more and more popular, so it's important that your website and app make it easy for customers to buy them. You may also want to consider offering special deals or discounts on e-gift cards during the holiday season.

Preparing Digital Gift Cards in Advance

To get ahead of the holiday gift card rush, start by preparing digital gift cards in advance. By having digital gift cards ready to go, you can avoid the printing and shipping delays that can come with physical cards.

There are a few things to keep in mind when preparing digital gift cards:

- Make sure the design of your digital gift card is festive and in line with your brand's holiday esthetic.

- Include clear instructions on how to redeem the digital gift card.

- Send the digital gift card to the recipient via email or text message so they can easily access it.

By following these tips, you can make sure your digital gift cards are ready for the holiday rush.

Optimizing the Shopping Experience With Square POS

You want to make it as easy as possible for customers to find and purchase your gift cards, whether they’re shopping in-store or online. With Square, you can do just that.

If you have a physical location, you can use Square’s POS system to ring up sales and add gift card options to your checkout page. This way, customers can easily purchase gift cards while they’re already in your store.

And if you sell online, you can add a link to your eGift cards order page from your website or checkout page. This makes it easy for customers to buy gift cards without having to leave your site.

Both of these methods will help increase gift card sales and make the holiday shopping experience more enjoyable for your customers.

Track, Analyze and Adjust Your Strategies for Maximum Impact

It's important to track and analyze your gift card sales so that you can adjust your strategies as needed. Use data from your sales, social media, and marketing campaigns to understand what's working and what's not.

If you're selling gift cards online, make sure you're using effective SEO tactics and that your website is mobile-friendly. Consider running a holiday-themed sale or promotion to drive traffic to your site.

If you're selling gift cards in-store, make sure your displays are attractive and well-organized. Promote gift cards as the perfect holiday gift with signage and marketing materials. If you have the space, consider opening a holiday pop-up shop to boost sales.

Conclusion

When it comes to gift cards, it’s all about giving your customers what they want. You want to make it easy for them to find the perfect gift, and you want to make the checkout process as simple as possible.

Square makes it easy to accept gift cards in your store. You can offer store credit in a variety of plastic or digital formats, and you can process gift cards quickly and easily. You can also track your sales and find the perfect gift for your customers.