PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- InComm, a leading provider of integrated point-of-sale (POS) technology solutions to retailers, today released research highlighting consumer shopping trends for purchasing digital and physical gift cards from websites and mobile devices. Of the consumers surveyed, 72% have previously bought a gift card from an online website or mobile website/app. Respondents answered questions about their purchasing habits and their intentions for purchasing gift cards from websites and mobile devices – as well as digital cards specifically – this holiday season and beyond. Highlights include:
Consumers shopping for gift cards online and via mobile device this holiday want both physical and digital card options.
53% of holiday shoppers are likely to buy 2-3 gift cards online this year.
Gift cards are a popular choice among loyalty program members when redeeming their points.
90% of consumers aged 18-25 are more interested in purchasing digital gift cards than they were 2-3 years ago.
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71% intend to purchase at least one gift card from an online website or mobile website/app this holiday season, while 74% agree that they are likely to purchase at least one digital gift card
85% of respondents between 18-35 agree that they're likely to purchase at least one digital gift card this holiday season
Of those who intend to purchase gift cards from online websites or mobile websites/apps this holiday season, nearly 20% plan to purchase 5 or more gift cards; 73% between 2-5
Nearly 90% of respondents between 18-35 agree that they are more interested in purchasing digital gift cards now than they were two to three years ago
77% of respondents between 18-35 prefer to have a digital gift card scanned from their phone rather than carry an email printout
53% of total respondents, and 79% of those between 18-35, are interested in storing and using gift cards on their phones
55% of total respondents, 79% of those between 18-35, agree that they're interested in storing digital gift cards on their phone for self-use
Nearly 23% of those who have purchased gift cards from online websites or mobile websites/apps purchase 5-10 cards annually
"Retailers can significantly increase sales of gift cards by enabling consumers to easily purchase both physical and digital gift cards from their desktops and mobile devices," said Mike Fletcher, General Manager, Digital Solutions, InComm. "This research shows that digital gift cards are rising in popularity, especially with those in younger age brackets. It's also interesting to see how many respondents are increasingly interested in storing digital cards on their phones for self-use. The key is that consumers want more gift card options, giving retailers incentive to provide an exceptional physical and digital gift card shopping experience across all channels."
2014 Holiday Intentions
71% of respondents intend to purchase at least one gift card from an online website or mobile website/app this holiday season, while 74% agree that they are likely to purchase at least one digital gift card. About 85% of respondents between 18-35 and 75% of those between 36-55 agree that they're likely to purchase at least one digital gift card this holiday season.
Participants were asked how many gift cards they intend to purchase from online websites or mobile websites/apps this holiday season:
8% are likely to buy 1
53% are likely to buy 2-3
20% are likely to buy 4-5
19% are likely to buy more than 5
Purchasing Physical vs. Digital Gift Cards
Of those who have bought a gift card from an online website or a mobile website/app, 41% have purchased a physical gift card, while 32% have purchased a digital gift card and 27% have purchased both. A digital gift card was defined as a card that is emailed to the recipient, and a physical gift card defined as a traditional gift card that is shipped to the recipient. When asked how many gift cards they purchase from online websites or mobile websites/apps annually, respondents answered:
33% purchase 1
40% purchase 2-4
17% purchase 5-7
6% purchase 8-10
6% purchase more than 10
When deciding whether to purchase a digital gift card or a physical gift card, nearly one-third state that it depends on who they're buying the card for. In fact, 77% prefer to have the option to purchase either a physical gift card or a digital gift card when purchasing gift cards from online websites or mobile websites/apps.
Digital and Mobile on the Rise
79% agree that they're likely to purchase at least one digital gift card in 2015, with 89% of those between 18-35 stating they are likely to purchase at least one digital gift card in 2015. Also, 80% agree that they're more interested in purchasing digital gift cards now than they were 2-3 years ago, with numbers higher among younger respondents:
50% of respondents agree that if they receive a digital gift card, they prefer to have the card scanned from their phone rather than carry an email printout. These numbers are higher among younger respondents:
Also, 55% of respondents agree that they're interested in storing digital gift cards on their phone for self-use, such as for budgeting purposes, to earn loyalty rewards, etc. Among those aged 18-35, 75% agree that they're interested.
Gift Card Shopping Preferences
Respondents answered the reasons that they have purchased digital gift cards:
61% said instant delivery
33% said easier to send
27% said easier and quicker for me to purchase
24% said harder to lose
21% said are a cool gift to give
20% said easier to redeem
19% said environmentally friendly
15% said the recipient prefers digital gift cards
Respondents stated which features/capabilities are important to the purchasing experience when buying gift cards from online websites or mobile websites/apps:
72% said security
56% said a variety of denominations available
36% said the ability to personalize the message
38% said a variety of designs to choose from (birthday, holiday, etc.)
Gift Cards and Loyalty Programs
When asked if they participate in a loyalty program (earning points for purchase), 74% of respondents stated that they do. 54% participate in 2-3 loyalty programs, 20% in 4-5, and 19% in 1. When asked how they use their points to purchase, 64% said cash rebate, 59% said gift card, 33% for a product, 27% said airline miles, and 3% said experiences (wine tasting, concert, etc.).
When using loyalty points for a gift card, 38% of respondents prefer the option of choosing between a physical or digital gift card.
Cash and gift cards are top choices by far when it comes to the types of rewards respondents prefer to receive from an employer. Further, 54% of respondents would consider switching their utility, cable, or internet provider if they were offered a gift card incentive for switching. When asked if they were to receive a reward for making a purchase, in which format would they prefer to receive the reward, 54% answered an open-loop prepaid card, while 39% answered a gift card and 7% said mail-in rebate.
All respondents were surveyed online in October 2014.
About InComm Leveraging deep integrations into retailers' point-of-sale systems, InComm provides connectivity to a variety of service providers that allow consumers to conduct everyday business at more than 450,000 points of retail distribution worldwide. Whether those consumers are activating prepaid products, paying bills, enjoying real-time discounts through a membership card, purchasing digital goods in-store or adding funds to an online account, InComm is there to provide unique gift-gifting opportunities, cater to on-the-go shoppers, deliver added value through loyalty programs and serve cash-based consumers. With 186 global patents, InComm is headquartered in Atlanta with a presence in over 30 countries in North and South America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Learn more at www.incomm.com or connect with us on www.twitter.com/incomm, www.facebook.com/incomm, www.linkedin.com/incomm or www.incomm.com/blog.
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