United States looks at the growing trend of shoppers buying gift cards for themselves. Retailer gift cards are one of the most popular gifts in the United States, but it turns out they are an increasingly popular self-use tool, whether as a way to treat one’s self, budget money, or take advantage of rewards programs. The research note looks at evidence from Mercator Advisory Group’s consumer and retailer surveys that show how the self-use market is growing. It also examines use of digital (or virtual) cards by self-gifters and the benefits to retailers.

1. Self-Use of Gift Cards in the United States
September 2016

2. 2016 Mercator Advisory Group
A new research note from Mercator Advisory Group titled Self-Use of Gift
Cards in the United States looks at the growing trend of shoppers buying gift
cards for themselves.
Retailer gift cards are one of the most popular gifts in the United States, but it
turns out they are an increasingly popular self-use tool, whether as a way to
treat one’s self, budget money, or take advantage of rewards programs.
The research note looks at evidence from Mercator Advisory Group’s
consumer and retailer surveys that show how the self-use market is growing.
It also examines use of digital (or virtual) cards by self-gifters and the benefits
to retailers.
New research from Mercator Advisory Group on trend
toward U.S. consumers buying gift cards for own use

3. 2016 Mercator Advisory Group
Ben Jackson
Director,
Prepaid Advisory Service
bjackson@mercatoradvisorygroup.com
"Gift card issuers should consider the value of their gift card programs as more
than just a way for customers to give presents; the cards can also serve as a
branded currency," Ben Jackson, Director of Mercator Advisory Group's
Prepaid Advisory Service and author of the report, comments.

4. 2016 Mercator Advisory Group
• The percentage of gift card buyers who say they have purchased a gift card
for self-use has steadily climbed since 2013.
• Card buyers are more likely to use digital cards if they are buying them for
self-use than if they are buying them as a gift.
• Reload data shows there is a steady portion of loads coming in from people
using prepaid/gift cards to which they add funds over time.
• Retailers can save significantly if customers use prepaid cards as a branded
currency, and they should design their programs to help customers to do so.
Highlights of the research note:

5. About the research note:
2016 Mercator Advisory Group
The research note contains 7 pages and 5 exhibits.
Companies mentioned in this document include: Hannaford Supermarkets,
Delhaize America, and Toys ‘R’ Us.
Members of Mercator Advisory Group's Prepaid Advisory Service have access to
this research note as well as the upcoming research for the year ahead,
presentations, analyst access and other membership benefits.
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6. About Mercator Advisory Group
Mercator Advisory Group is the leading independent research and advisory
services firm exclusively focused on the payments and banking industries. We
deliver pragmatic and timely research and advice designed to help our clients
uncover the most lucrative opportunities to maximize revenue growth and
contain costs.
Our clients range from the world's largest payment issuers, acquirers,
processors, merchants and associations to leading technology providers and
investors. Mercator Advisory Group is also the publisher of the online payments
and banking news and information portal PaymentsJournal.com.
2016 Mercator Advisory Group