Looking to grow revenue, drive retention, and make your gift cards work harder in 2025? These five tried-and-tested strategies are inspired by Wrapped customers who are successfully using gift cards to connect with new customers, create repeat business and strengthen customer engagement with their brands.
Turn generosity into growth
Gift cards aren’t just for selling - they’re one of the easiest, most effective ways to introduce new customers to your brand. When used thoughtfully, distributing gift cards in your local community - at markets, events, or through strategic partnerships with local clubs isn’t a giveaway. It’s an acquisition strategy.
Why it works: Gift cards act as an invitation to experience a brand, no strings attached. You’re lowering the barrier to entry, building goodwill, and giving someone a reason to experience your brand for the first time. For small businesses, this creates an authentic connection and brings customers through the door without relying on discounts or promotions. Local shoppers become loyal customers and often, brand advocates.
Drive higher spend without discounting
As a business owner, using gift card automations allows you to drive sales and customer engagement with minimal manual effort. By automatically issuing bonus credit or gift cards when customers meet specific criteria, such as spending over a certain amount or purchasing a specific product, you can strategically incentivize behaviors that increase average order value and customer lifetime value.
This approach not only simplifies promotions and retention efforts, but also preserves brand perception by offering added value instead of discounts.
Why it works: It taps into the psychology of value-added rewards. Customers feel like they’re getting a win, which encourages them to spend more, without undercutting your brand or reducing perceived value. The bonus credit also creates a built-in reason for a return visit, boosting customer retention.
Keep gift cards top of mind, year-round
Gift cards solve real gifting problems - fast. They’re thoughtful, flexible, and instant.
Retailers miss a key opportunity to drive year-round revenue when they limit gift card messaging to the holiday season. Gift cards are applicable and easy to promote at any time of year, with messaging that highlights their convenience, personalisation, and versatility, making them a powerful, always-relevant tool in any marketing strategy!
The most successful Wrapped brands position their cards as a go-to gift not just during the holidays, but for birthdays, thank-yous, and everything in between.
Why it works: Digital gift cards are the perfect solution for a convenient, thoughtful way to give - without the guesswork. By giving the recipient the freedom to choose what they truly want, gift cards remove the pressure of picking the perfect item while still delivering a personal, meaningful experience. This flexibility makes them an ideal option for any occasion, driving consistent sales and encouraging repeat visits from happy recipients.
Wrapped tip: Add a “Last-Minute Gift?” CTA to your website’s homepage and email footer.
If they can’t see it, they won’t buy it
One of the simplest (yet most overlooked) ways to sell more gift cards? Make them impossible to miss. Wrapped retailers who succeed here place physical and digital gift card messaging in high-traffic areas - both in-store and online.
Why it works: Prominent placement at checkout counters, on your homepage, in product pages, and in email marketing captures impulse buyers and last-minute gifters. Visibility reinforces your brand’s gifting value and ensures gift cards stay top of mind throughout the customer journey.
In-store tip: Place gift card signage near bestsellers and registers to capture impulse interest.
Reward engagement with something that brings customers back
Gift cards are a powerful incentive for driving customer referrals, newsletter sign-ups, and survey participation. Unlike traditional discounts, they feel more personal and valuable - tapping into the psychology of “free money” and increasing the likelihood of a return purchase.
Why it works: When tied to surveys, gift cards help you gather valuable customer insights that can inform business decisions, while referral incentives bring in like-minded new customers who are more likely to convert.
Wrapped Insight: Brands offering gift cards in exchange for post-purchase surveys saw a 20–30% lift in response rates.
Wrapped makes it easy to set up, sell, and promote branded gift cards that drive real revenue - online and in-store. With automations, digital delivery, and customizable experiences, it’s the gift card platform designed to grow with your business.