Changing Consumer Gifting Trends
The consumer increasingly prefers the convenience and usability of gift cards over the old-fashioned physical gift. This change is motivated by the need to give recipients a choice, so that they are getting something that is actually needed. For instance, findings from a recent national consumer survey conducted by the National Retail Federation (NRF) in 2023 states that gift cards continue to be the most popular option as a gift items, with a high percentage of consumers opting for them during holidays & special occasions. The convenience of last-minute buying, the avoidance of gift-purchasing uncertainty, and the convenience of complementing gift cards with own funds to fulfill larger transactions add hugely to their increasing popularity, making them a standard in present-day gift culture.
Digital Evolution and Online Shopping Spreading
The escalating digital revolution and the high utilization of e-commerce websites is drastically shifting the gift card market landscape. The seamless blending of e-gift cards with online shopping sites, electronic payment methods, and mobile wallets has rendered them extremely user-friendly and ubiquitous. E-commerce transactions remain year-over-year robust and directly related to the growing issuance and redemption of electronic gift cards. The ease of purchasing, sending, and redeeming e-gift cards immediately via email or mobile devices wiped out geographical constraints & logistical barriers, propelling their exponential growth and making them a viable option for personal & corporate use.
Growth in Emerging Economies & Untapped Consumer Segments
Emerging economies and untapped consumer groups offers ample opportunities for market growth. Most emerging markets are witnessing a sharp spike in digital literacy, smartphone penetration, and the burgeoning middle class with increasing disposable incomes. For instance, governmental push in nations like India for digital payments and financial inclusion is making way for gift card uptake. Moreover, focusing on such demographics like Gen Z, which is extremely digitally native and used to mobile-first solutions, is a sizeable growth opportunity. Tailored products that fit in with local cultural sensitivities and consumer spending patterns can unlock substantial market value within these countries.
Synergy with Loyalty Schemes and Customized Marketing
Strategic linking of gift cards to loyalty programs and the use of extremely targeted marketing campaigns represent a strong value proposition for market expansion. Companies are using gift cards as a tool for acquiring new customers, retaining existing ones, and developing brand commitment. By providing gift cards as a reward for repeat buys, referrals, or through a tiered loyalty program, businesses can encourage continued use. Consumers are more prone to be involved in loyalty programs that offer physical rewards such as gift cards. In addition, leveraging data analytics to provide personalized gift card recommendations and offers based on individual consumer behaviour can hugely impact redemption levels as well as overall satisfaction.
The following Key Market Indicators present a comprehensive overview of the social and economic landscape of the selected region, offering critical insights into market-specific trends and developments. These indicators, combined with data from government statistics, industry associations, and corporate sources, form the analytical foundation of NextGen Intelligence Stats' market models.
Aspects | Details |
Base Year
|
2024 |
Historic Data
|
2021-2023 |
Forecast Period
|
2025-2035 |
Regions & Countries Covered
|
North America (United States, Canada), Europe (Germany, France, Italy, United Kingdom, Spain, Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (China, Japan, South Korea, India, Rest of Asia Pacific), Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of Latin America), Middle East& |
Companies Profiles
|
Amazon |
Segmentation Level Customization
|
Additional Segments and Sub Segment |
Company Level Customization
|
Market share analysis at country levels |
Country level Data Customization
|
Segmental volume analysis Pricing Analysis of Product Company Market Share |
October 2024: Starbucks revealed new drinkware and Starbucks Card designs based on Universal Pictures “Wicked”. The collection includes bright pink, vibrant green, and shiny gold cold cups, tumblers, and keychains, as well as new Starbucks Card designs, such as an Emerald City card and a gold-coloured keychain card with a minimum of $50 load.
December 2024: Target revealed the comeback of its holiday-time favourite 10% off Target GiftCards promotion for Target Circle members. The in-demand offer enables members to buy up to $500 worth of gift cards and have the discount automatically deducted at the checkout, boosting customers' holiday savings.
January 2024: Coinstar continued to refresh its eGift Card lineup, giving customers a range of no-fee ways to turn coins into e-gift cards for well-known retailers and restaurants such as AMC Theatres, Apple, and DoorDash. Its paper eGift Cards act like plastic cards with special codes to use online & in-store.
April 2024: Sunbit, in support of its "Take 10! Webinar," encouraged attendees to participate in a drawing for a $500 electronic Nordstrom gift card. The promotion was designed to encourage dental practices and promote Sunbit's services, with the gift card as a direct attendance incentive.
September 2023: Google Play stated that ¥1,500 and ¥15,000 Google Play gift cards could no longer be bought in Japan, from September 19, 2023. Existing cards of these values are still usable and balances are not due to expire.
The gift cards market is dominated by a vibrant, rapidly competitive environment that consists of a mixed variety of participants ranging from established financial and retail giants to niche gift card suppliers and technology disruptors. Key players are investing in strategic initiatives to extend their market presence, fuelled by trends including digitalization, changing customer habits, and the high-margin opportunities offered by business gifting. Big retail chains are leading the closed-loop market, drawing on their large customer bases and brand loyalty. Solutions providers such as InComm Payments & Blackhawk Network are leading the way in creating innovative gift card solutions, ranging from digital platforms to integrated loyalty systems & seamless incentive programs. The competitiveness is further intensified by technology firms such as Google and Apple, who are including gift card functionality within their digital wallets and ecosystems for increased convenience and ease of access.
• Amazon
• Coinstar
• Gap
• Nordstrom
• Blackhawk Network
• Walmart
• Google
• Apple
• Best Buy
• Target
• eBay
• Visa
• Mastercard
• Starbucks
• InComm Payments
• American Express Company
• Fiserv, Inc.
• Qwikcilver Solutions Pvt Ltd
• Paytronix Systems, Inc.
• Givex Corporation
• PayPal, Inc.
• Pine Labs Pvt.
The Global Gift Cards Market is expected to witness consistent growth, climbing from US$ 753.5 billion in 2025 to an estimated US$ 2,120.91 billion by 2035, supported by a CAGR of 9.2 %.
Gift Cards Market is expected to witness consistent growth CAGR of 9.2 %.
Changing Consumer Gifting Trends, Digital Evolution and Online Shopping Spreading, Growth in Emerging Economies & Untapped Consumer Segments, Synergy with Loyalty Schemes and Customized Marketing
North America held 45.8% share in the gift cards market, influenced by an entrenched culture of gifting, premium consumer purchasing power, and well-developed retail facilities.
Amazon, Coinstar, Gap, Nordstrom, Blackhawk Network, Walmart, Google, Apple, Best Buy, Target, eBay, Visa
1.1. Introduction
1.2. Report Description & Objective
1.3. Assumption And Limitation
2.1. Data Collection
2.2. Primary Research & Secondary Research
2.3. Bottom-Up Approach & Top-Down Approach
2.4. Market Analysis & Size Estimation
2.5. Quality Check & Final Review
3.1. Report Scope
3.2. Executive Summary
4.1. Top Trends To Watch
4.2. Top Strategies Followed By Key Players
4.3. Top Investment Pockets
5.1. Market Definition
5.2. Market Drivers
5.3. Market Restraints & Challenges
5.4. Market Opportunities
6.1. Porter’s Five Forces’ Analysis
6.2. Value Chain Analysis / Supply Chain Analysis
6.3. PESTLE Analysis
6.4. Regulatory Landscape
6.5. Pricing Analysis
7.1. Global Gift Cards Market, By Type
7.2. Global Gift Cards Market Attractiveness, By Type
7.2.1. Physical Gift Cards
7.2.2. E-Gift Cards
7.2.3. Printable Gift Cards
8.1. Global Gift Cards Market, By Functional Attribute
8.2. Global Gift Cards Market Attractiveness, By Functional Attribute
8.2.1. Closed Loop
8.2.2. Open Loop
8.2.3. E-Gifting
9.1. Global Gift Cards Market, By Distribution Channel
9.2. Global Gift Cards Market Attractiveness, By Distribution Channel
9.2.1. Online
9.2.2. Retail Stores
9.2.3. Mobile Applications
10.1. Global Gift Cards Market, By End Use
10.2. Global Gift Cards Market Attractiveness, By End Use
10.2.1. Personal Use
10.2.2. Corporate Use
10.2.3. Promotional Use
11.1. Global Gift Cards Market, By Geography
11.2. Global Gift Cards Market Attractiveness, By Geography
11.2.1. North America
11.2.2. Europe
11.2.3. Asia Pacific
11.2.4. Middle East & Africa
11.2.5. Latin America
12.1. North America Market Overview, By Countries
12.2. North America Market Overview, By Type
12.3. North America Market Overview, By Functional Attribute
12.4. North America Market Overview, By Distribution Channel
12.5. North America Market Overview, By End Use
12.5.1. United States
12.5.2. Canada
13.1. Europe Market Overview, By Countries
13.2. Europe Market Overview, By Type
13.3. Europe Market Overview, By Functional Attribute
13.4. Europe Market Overview, By Distribution Channel
13.5. Europe Market Overview, By End Use
13.5.1. Germany
13.5.2. France
13.5.3. UK
13.5.4. Italy
13.5.5. Spain
13.5.6. Rest of Europe
14.1. Asia Pacific Market Overview, By Countries
14.2. Asia Pacific Market Overview, By Type
14.3. Asia Pacific Market Overview, By Functional Attribute
14.4. Asia Pacific Market Overview, By Distribution Channel
14.5. Asia Pacific Market Overview, By End Use
14.5.1. India
14.5.2. China
14.5.3. Japan
14.5.4. South Korea
14.5.5. Rest of Asia Pacific
15.1. Middle East & Africa Market Overview, By Countries
15.2. Middle East & Africa Market Overview, By Type
15.3. Middle East & Africa Market Overview, By Functional Attribute
15.4. Middle East & Africa Market Overview, By Distribution Channel
15.5. Middle East & Africa Market Overview, By End Use
15.5.1. GCC
15.5.2. South Africa
15.5.3. Rest of Middle East & Africa
16.1. Latin America Market Overview, By Countries
16.2. Latin America Market Overview, By Type
16.3. Latin America Market Overview, By Functional Attribute
16.4. Latin America Market Overview, By Distribution Channel
16.5. Latin America Market Overview, By End Use
16.5.1. Brazil
16.5.2. Argentina
16.5.3. Rest of Latin America
17.1. Key Developments
17.1.1. Partnerships, Collaborations, Agreements
17.1.2. Mergers & Acquisitions
17.1.3. New Product Developments
17.1.4. Other Developments
17.2. Company Share Analysis
17.3. Company Profiles
17.3.1. Amazon
17.3.1.1. Company Overview
17.3.1.2. Product Overview
17.3.1.3. Financial Insights
17.3.1.4. Recent Developments
17.3.1.5. SWOT Analysis
17.3.2. Coinstar
17.3.3. Gap
17.3.4. Nordstrom
17.3.5. Blackhawk Network
17.3.6. Walmart
17.3.7. Google
17.3.8. Apple
17.3.9. Best Buy
17.3.10. Target
17.3.11. eBay
17.3.12. Visa
17.3.13. Mastercard
17.3.14. Starbucks
17.3.15. InComm Payments
17.3.16. American Express Company
17.3.17. Fiserv, Inc.
17.3.18. Qwikcilver Solutions Pvt Ltd
17.3.19. Paytronix Systems, Inc.
17.3.20. Givex Corporation
17.3.21. PayPal, Inc.
17.3.22. Pine Labs Pvt.
Data Collection
Primary Research & Secondary Research
Bottom-Up Approach & Top-Down Approach
Market Analysis & Size Estimation
Quality Check & Final Review
By Type
• Physical Gift Cards
• E-Gift Cards
• Printable Gift Cards
By Functional Attribute
• Closed Loop
• Open Loop
• E-Gifting
By Distribution Channel
• Online
• Retail Stores
• Mobile Applications
By End Use
• Personal Use
• Corporate Use
• Promotional Use