Gift Cards Market by Type (E-Gifting, Miscellaneous Closed Loop, Music and Streaming Gift Cards), Application (Coffee Shop, Entertainment, Restaurants or Food Chains) - Global Forecast 2024-2030

Gift Cards Market by Type (E-Gifting, Miscellaneous Closed Loop, Music and Streaming Gift Cards), Application (Coffee Shop, Entertainment, Restaurants or Food Chains) - Global Forecast 2024-2030


The Gift Cards Market size was estimated at USD 827.11 billion in 2023 and expected to reach USD 879.43 billion in 2024, at a CAGR 6.41% to reach USD 1,278.52 billion by 2030.

Gift cards are stored-value, prepaid money cards issued by banks or retailers to be used as an alternative to cash for purchases of shopping within particular stores or related businesses. They come in two primary forms: closed-loop cards, which can only be utilized at the issuing retailer, and open-loop cards, which are often powered by major credit card processors, making them universally accepted at any business that accepts those credit cards. The proliferation of gift cards is largely driven by their convenience, universality, the rise of digital gifting, and a growing preference for cashless transactions. Technological advancements have streamlined the purchasing and redemption process, with digital or e-gift cards gaining traction due to immediate delivery and ease of use. However, there is a possibility of loss or theft, expiration dates or inactivity fees diminishing their value, and limitations on where they can be used, particularly with closed-loop cards, impede their adoption. Some issuers are offering protection for registered cards, extending expiration dates, or removing fees to improve the user experience to sustain their utility. The personalization and customization of gift cards are also areas of potential expansion as consumers seek unique gifting options. Moreover, the introduction of eco-friendly, biodegradable, or digital-only cards aligns with a growing environmental consciousness.

Regional Insights

In the Americas, particularly the United States, the gift card market is mature and highly integrated, with both open-loop cards and closed-loop cards being immensely popular. The production of gift cards in this region typically involves sophisticated personalization technologies and efforts toward sustainability, with digital gift cards gaining rapid traction. North American companies dominate in terms of innovation and market share, with an ecosystem consisting of retailers, financial institutions, and specialized gift card companies. The Asia-Pacific region presents a more fragmented picture, with rapid growth and adoption of mobile and e-gift card solutions underpinned by the prevalence of mobile payment systems and the rise of eCommerce. Production in APAC is diversifying, with a significant increase in digital solutions and environmentally friendly physical cards. Numerous local companies are emerging, specializing in gift card solutions, increasingly engaging in partnerships with regional retailers and fintech firms to leverage the expanding digital consumer base. In Europe, particularly Western Europe, gift card usage is high, with a strong focus on consumer protection and regulatory compliance in their production and distribution. Digitalization is progressing steadily, emphasizing security features and multi-currency functionality to cater to a more global consumer base. Companies in EMEA tend to be diverse, ranging from established global players to local retailers keen on tapping the gift card market to incentivize customer loyalty and engagement.

Market Insights
  • Market Dynamics

    The market dynamics represent an ever-changing landscape of the Gift Cards Market by providing actionable insights into factors, including supply and demand levels. Accounting for these factors helps design strategies, make investments, and formulate developments to capitalize on future opportunities. In addition, these factors assist in avoiding potential pitfalls related to political, geographical, technical, social, and economic conditions, highlighting consumer behaviors and influencing manufacturing costs and purchasing decisions.
    • Market Drivers
      • Increasing Market Penetration through E-Commerce Industry and Employee Reward System
      • Innovative and Personalized Gift Cards to Increase Sales
      • Growing Traction in Airport Lounges and Duty-Free Retailing
      • Market Restraints
        • Concerns Related to Security and Privacy
        • Market Opportunities
          • Growing Demand as Promotion Tools and Market Penetration in Emerging Economies
          • Technological Advancements with Quicker and Easy Payment Solutions and Digitization
          • Market Challenges
            • Issues Pertinent to Plastic Utilization and Chances of Loss of Money
            • Market Segmentation Analysis
              • Type: Increasing use of eGifting and open loop gift cards owing to their convenience and universal acceptability
              • Application: Adoption of entertainment and retail gift cards to serve the dual purpose of routine use and special occasion gifting
              • Market Disruption Analysis
              • Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
              • Value Chain & Critical Path Analysis
              • Pricing Analysis
              • Technology Analysis
              • Patent Analysis
              • Trade Analysis
              • Regulatory Framework Analysis
              FPNV Positioning Matrix

              The FPNV positioning matrix is essential in evaluating the market positioning of the vendors in the Gift Cards Market. This matrix offers a comprehensive assessment of vendors, examining critical metrics related to business strategy and product satisfaction. This in-depth assessment empowers users to make well-informed decisions aligned with their requirements. Based on the evaluation, the vendors are then categorized into four distinct quadrants representing varying levels of success, namely Forefront (F), Pathfinder (P), Niche (N), or Vital (V).

              Market Share Analysis

              The market share analysis is a comprehensive tool that provides an insightful and in-depth assessment of the current state of vendors in the Gift Cards Market. By meticulously comparing and analyzing vendor contributions, companies are offered a greater understanding of their performance and the challenges they face when competing for market share. These contributions include overall revenue, customer base, and other vital metrics. Additionally, this analysis provides valuable insights into the competitive nature of the sector, including factors such as accumulation, fragmentation dominance, and amalgamation traits observed over the base year period studied. With these illustrative details, vendors can make more informed decisions and devise effective strategies to gain a competitive edge in the market.

              Recent Developments
              • Restaurant.com Owner RDE Acquires Gift Card Marketplace CardCash.com

                RDE, the company behind Restaurant.com, completed the acquisition of CardCash.com, a player in the secondary gift card space, in a strategic move to solidify its presence in the lucrative gift card market. This merger promises to enhance consumer savings through a synergistic model that leverages digital convenience. As customers gain access to an enriched selection of discounted gift cards, the expanded product offerings are expected to tap into the substantial domestic gift card industry.

                Onbe and CardCash Partner to Offer Instant Virtual Cards

                CardCash, an online marketplace dedicated to the buying and selling of unused gift cards, revolutionized the way consumers manage unwanted gift cards by partnering with Onbe for an innovative solution. This collaboration has led to the creation of an instant virtual Mastercard payment option, providing immediate spending capabilities for users across any merchant accepting Mastercard. By incorporating Onbe's virtual card options with CardCash's existing payout alternatives, including checks, ACH, and PayPal, consumers now have a diversified and flexible range of choices for liquidating their unused gift cards.

                InComm Payments and Meal Train Partner to Supply Gift Card Options for Individuals Organizing Meal Support

                InComm Payments announced an exclusive partnership with Meal Train, the innovative online platform designed to coordinate meal giving for those experiencing significant life events. This collaboration is expected to extend Meal Train's offerings to include a robust selection of InComm Payments' physical and digital gift cards, enhancing the ways customers can provide support through meal deliveries, grocery shopping, dining options, and more. The partnership brings popular consumer brand gift cards into the fold and introduces InComm's proprietary card brands, available in multiple designs for a personalized touch.
              Strategy Analysis & Recommendation

              The strategic analysis is essential for organizations seeking a solid foothold in the global marketplace. Companies are better positioned to make informed decisions that align with their long-term aspirations by thoroughly evaluating their current standing in the Gift Cards Market. This critical assessment involves a thorough analysis of the organization’s resources, capabilities, and overall performance to identify its core strengths and areas for improvement.

              Key Company Profiles

              The report delves into recent significant developments in the Gift Cards Market, highlighting leading vendors and their innovative profiles. These include Airbnb, Inc., Amazon.com, Inc., American Express Company, Apple Inc., Best Buy Co., Inc., Blackhawk Network Holdings Inc., Carrefour Group by Majid Al Futtaim Holding, Costco Wholesale Corporation, eBay Inc., Flipkart Internet Private Limited, Givex Corporation, Google LLC by Alphabet Inc., H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB, Home Depot Product Authority, LLC, InComm Payments by e2Interactive, Inc., Inter IKEA Systems B.V., J Sainsbury PLC, JCB Co., Ltd., JD Sports Fashion PLC, Lowe's Companies, Inc., LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton, Macys.com, LLC, PayPal Holdings, Inc., Starbucks Coffee Company, Target Corporation, The Kroger Company, Virgin Red Limited, Walgreen Co., Walmart Inc., and ZARA by ITX MERKEN, B.V..

              Market Segmentation & Coverage

              This research report categorizes the Gift Cards Market to forecast the revenues and analyze trends in each of the following sub-markets:
              • Type
                • E-Gifting
                • Miscellaneous Closed Loop
                • Music and Streaming Gift Cards
                • Restaurant Closed Loop
                • Retail Closed Loop
                • Universal Accepted Open Loop
                • Application
                  • Coffee Shop
                  • Entertainment
                  • Restaurants or Food Chains
                  • Retail
                  • Travel
                  • Region
                    • Americas
                      • Argentina
                      • Brazil
                      • Canada
                      • Mexico
                      • United States
                        • California
                        • Florida
                        • Illinois
                        • New York
                        • Ohio
                        • Pennsylvania
                        • Texas
                        • Asia-Pacific
                          • Australia
                          • China
                          • India
                          • Indonesia
                          • Japan
                          • Malaysia
                          • Philippines
                          • Singapore
                          • South Korea
                          • Taiwan
                          • Thailand
                          • Vietnam
                          • Europe, Middle East & Africa
                            • Denmark
                            • Egypt
                            • Finland
                            • France
                            • Germany
                            • Israel
                            • Italy
                            • Netherlands
                            • Nigeria
                            • Norway
                            • Poland
                            • Qatar
                            • Russia
                            • Saudi Arabia
                            • South Africa
                            • Spain
                            • Sweden
                            • Switzerland
                            • Turkey
                            • United Arab Emirates
                            • United Kingdom


                            Please Note: PDF & Excel + Online Access - 1 Year


1. Preface
1.1. Objectives of the Study
1.2. Market Segmentation & Coverage
1.3. Years Considered for the Study
1.4. Currency & Pricing
1.5. Language
1.6. Stakeholders
2. Research Methodology
2.1. Define: Research Objective
2.2. Determine: Research Design
2.3. Prepare: Research Instrument
2.4. Collect: Data Source
2.5. Analyze: Data Interpretation
2.6. Formulate: Data Verification
2.7. Publish: Research Report
2.8. Repeat: Report Update
3. Executive Summary
4. Market Overview
5. Market Insights
5.1. Market Dynamics
5.1.1. Drivers
5.1.1.1. Increasing Market Penetration through E-Commerce Industry and Employee Reward System
5.1.1.2. Innovative and Personalized Gift Cards to Increase Sales
5.1.1.3. Growing Traction in Airport Lounges and Duty-Free Retailing
5.1.2. Restraints
5.1.2.1. Concerns Related to Security and Privacy
5.1.3. Opportunities
5.1.3.1. Growing Demand as Promotion Tools and Market Penetration in Emerging Economies
5.1.3.2. Technological Advancements with Quicker and Easy Payment Solutions and Digitization
5.1.4. Challenges
5.1.4.1. Issues Pertinent to Plastic Utilization and Chances of Loss of Money
5.2. Market Segmentation Analysis
5.2.1. Type: Increasing use of eGifting and open loop gift cards owing to their convenience and universal acceptability
5.2.2. Application: Adoption of entertainment and retail gift cards to serve the dual purpose of routine use and special occasion gifting
5.3. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
5.3.1. Threat of New Entrants
5.3.2. Threat of Substitutes
5.3.3. Bargaining Power of Customers
5.3.4. Bargaining Power of Suppliers
5.3.5. Industry Rivalry
5.4. Value Chain & Critical Path Analysis
5.5. Regulatory Framework Analysis
6. Gift Cards Market, by Type
6.1. Introduction
6.2. E-Gifting
6.3. Miscellaneous Closed Loop
6.4. Music and Streaming Gift Cards
6.5. Restaurant Closed Loop
6.6. Retail Closed Loop
6.7. Universal Accepted Open Loop
7. Gift Cards Market, by Application
7.1. Introduction
7.2. Coffee Shop
7.3. Entertainment
7.4. Restaurants or Food Chains
7.5. Retail
7.6. Travel
8. Americas Gift Cards Market
8.1. Introduction
8.2. Argentina
8.3. Brazil
8.4. Canada
8.5. Mexico
8.6. United States
9. Asia-Pacific Gift Cards Market
9.1. Introduction
9.2. Australia
9.3. China
9.4. India
9.5. Indonesia
9.6. Japan
9.7. Malaysia
9.8. Philippines
9.9. Singapore
9.10. South Korea
9.11. Taiwan
9.12. Thailand
9.13. Vietnam
10. Europe, Middle East & Africa Gift Cards Market
10.1. Introduction
10.2. Denmark
10.3. Egypt
10.4. Finland
10.5. France
10.6. Germany
10.7. Israel
10.8. Italy
10.9. Netherlands
10.10. Nigeria
10.11. Norway
10.12. Poland
10.13. Qatar
10.14. Russia
10.15. Saudi Arabia
10.16. South Africa
10.17. Spain
10.18. Sweden
10.19. Switzerland
10.20. Turkey
10.21. United Arab Emirates
10.22. United Kingdom
11. Competitive Landscape
11.1. Market Share Analysis, 2023
11.2. FPNV Positioning Matrix, 2023
11.3. Competitive Scenario Analysis
11.3.1. Restaurant.com Owner RDE Acquires Gift Card Marketplace CardCash.com
11.3.2. Onbe and CardCash Partner to Offer Instant Virtual Cards
11.3.3. InComm Payments and Meal Train Partner to Supply Gift Card Options for Individuals Organizing Meal Support
12. Competitive Portfolio
12.1. Key Company Profiles
12.2. Key Product Portfolio

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