Proof That Gift Card Promotions Deliver
Real results show holiday incentives can spark dramatic growth in gift card sales.
August 27, 2025
Merchants have long suspected that a well-timed promotion can dramatically boost gift card sales—and our latest Insight Lab data confirms it. In this snapshot from our merchant data, the results were dramatic: retailers who ran holiday gift card promotions saw markedly higher sales than in the prior year, when no promotions were offered.
Some merchants combined a 20% discount with a tiered bonus card offer. Others relied solely on bonus card incentives. In both scenarios, bonus cards were redeemable after the holidays—through April 1—extending engagement well into the new year.
The impact was significant, with some individual merchants seeing dramatic gains as follows:
The Holiday Promotion Takeaway
Both holiday gift card promotion types delivered dramatic gains, but the added urgency of a discount stacked with a bonus likely explains the even higher lift. Several other factors could also be at play—ranging from merchandise mix to customer buying habits to the way each promotion was marketed. What’s clear is that thoughtful, time-bound promotions can spark a surge in holiday gift card sales while fostering loyalty that carries into the new year.
At eGifter, we make it simple to structure and manage promotions that deliver results. For example, see how DSW partnered with us to launch a headline-worthy gift card promotion: The DSW Shoeprise event!
With the 2025 holiday season fast approaching, now is the time to act.
Peak Season Starts Early. Let’s Get Ready!
Holiday gift card promotions set up by October 1 are best positioned to capture peak demand. If you want to run a gift card promo that works, let’s talk. We’ll help you design, structure, and launch a program that delivers real results.
Here’s to a strong season ahead—and happy early holidays from eGifter.