Smart Blog

Numbers don’t lie: Gift card trends shaping the 2025 holiday season

Nov 3, 2025

Introduction With the holiday shopping season looming, retailers and consumers alike are looking for clues: What will drive gifting behaviors this

Where is your money really going?

Oct 22, 2025

Open or closed loop – who controls the true value of gift cards? Introduction Not all gift cards are created equal. Behind a

Green gifting: Why digital gift cards are the future of sustainable giving

Oct 15, 2025

October always carries a sense of change. The air gets cooler, the leaves turn, and conversations about sustainability become louder

How digital gift cards support sustainable shopping

Oct 1, 2025

In October, something shifts in how people shop. The fast pace of summer fades. Autumn brings deeper reflection—about the brands we

Why gift cards are Europe’s number one present and a retail growth engine

Sep 23, 2025

Here’s a fun fact that might surprise you: in Europe, gift cards are consistently ranked as the most wanted present.Surveys show

Why September is the smartest month for strategic gifting

Sep 15, 2025

There’s a saying in retail: “If you’re not ready by October, you’re already behind.” But what if readiness wasn’t just about having

The surprising history of shopping malls: From ancient Rome to today

Sep 1, 2025

When you picture a shopping mall, what comes to mind? Crowds of people shuffling between stores. The unmistakable buzz of

Back-to-School: Why August Is Prime Time for Gifting with Purpose

Aug 1, 2025

After the slower rhythm of summer, August arrives with a sharp pivot. Schools reopen, inboxes fill up, routines return. For

Unlocking the Power of Data Through Gift Cards: From Analytics to Prediction

Jul 15, 2025

Gift cards have long been a go-to tool for boosting sales and customer loyalty. But in the digital age, their

Love in the Time of Cinnabon: Are Shopping Malls the New Dating Hotspot?

Jul 15, 2025

Remember when finding “the one” meant swiping endlessly or hitting up a bar?Now imagine this: your next big love story

Instant Gratification at Summer Events: How Gift Cards Are Changing the Festival Experience

Jul 15, 2025

When most people think of summer, they imagine vacations, music festivals, rooftop bars, and street fairs. But for marketers and

The Science of Scent: How Smells Boost Sales — and Loyalty

Jun 24, 2025

When it comes to boosting sales, most brands focus on what people see: visuals, logos, displays. But science tells us

Summer shopping & tourism: How retailers can capitalize on holiday gift cards

Jun 12, 2025

Summer is a peak season for travel, dining, and shopping. As tourists explore new destinations, they seek convenient ways to

Malls Are Getting Weirder — And That’s the Point

May 15, 2025

Think your local mall is weird? Think again. Around the world, shopping centers are pushing the boundaries of what “retail” means

Shopping in the Most Unlikely Places: Malls at the Edge of the World

May 15, 2025

Imagine shopping for sneakers… in the Arctic. Or grabbing a coffee in a mall surrounded by dense jungle. It might

Shopping Across Borders: The Curious Case of Eurode Mall

May 15, 2025

Have you ever shopped in two countries — without even leaving the building? Welcome to Eurode Mall, a hidden gem tucked right

The power of loyalty programs: How retailers can keep customers engaged

May 15, 2025

Loyalty programs are no longer a nice-to-have; they’re a must-have. In a competitive retail landscape, customer retention is just as

Why the Balkans are the next big opportunity for premium outlet growth — and what that means for gift cards

May 7, 2025

Across Europe, the outlet retail industry has become a key player in experiential shopping — blending strong brand identities with

Earth day & sustainability: The rise of eco-friendly gift cards

Apr 14, 2025

As Earth Day approaches on April 22, sustainability is at the forefront of consumer and business priorities. More than ever,

Spring shopping trends: How gift cards drive seasonal sales

Mar 13, 2025

As winter fades and temperatures rise, consumer shopping habits shift. Spring brings fresh opportunities for retailers to boost sales, and

Gift cards and data: How retailers can use analytics to drive sales

Feb 12, 2025

Gift cards offer more than just convenience for customers—they are a treasure trove of data for retailers. By analyzing gift

5 Ways to turn gift card recipients into loyal customers

Jan 15, 2025

Gift cards are often the first interaction a new customer has with a brand, and retailers must capitalize on this

Boosting holiday sales with gift cards: Retail strategies for success

Dec 16, 2024

The holiday season is one of the most crucial times of the year for retailers, and gift cards play a

Gift cards and loyalty programs: A winning combination for retailers

Nov 13, 2024

Gift cards have long been a staple in the retail industry, but when combined with loyalty programs, they become an

The rise of digital gift cards: Why retailers need to adapt

Oct 15, 2024

The retail landscape is changing, and digital gift cards are at the forefront of this transformation. As e-commerce and digital

5 Ways to Delight Customers with Birthday Loyalty Surprises

Sep 16, 2024

Customer purchase decisions are often influenced by emotions, so creating experiences that evoke positive feelings is essential for earning their

Digital Gift Card Market – Significant Growth Factors

Aug 14, 2024

The digital gift card market is witnessing remarkable growth driven by a confluence of factors. As consumers and businesses increasingly

Digital Gift Card Global Market Report 2024

Jul 15, 2024

Digital gift cards, also known as e-gift cards, have transformed the gifting landscape by providing a versatile and convenient method

The journey of gift cards: From plastic to digital

Jun 12, 2024

Gift-giving has undergone a remarkable transformation over the years, with one particular aspect experiencing a significant evolution: gift cards. What

The psychology of gift cards

May 14, 2024

Gift-giving is a timeless tradition deeply rooted in human culture, serving as a means to express love, appreciation, and celebration.

Loyalty rewarded: How gift cards and loyalty programs join forces for customer delight

Apr 10, 2024

Picture this: It’s a crisp autumn morning, and you’re on your way to your favorite café. As you approach the

Unwrapping the Power of Gift Cards: How Data Analytics Personalizes the Perfect Present

Mar 12, 2024

Imagine this: It’s the holiday season, and you’re on a mission to find the ideal gift for your best friend.

Unlocking the Full Potential of Rewards

Feb 12, 2024

In the world of shopping, loyalty points are like hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. If you’re part of a

Perfect Presents: The Power of Gift Cards

Jan 14, 2024

Gift-giving is an art that goes beyond the physical exchange of items. It’s about creating moments of joy and connection

Revolutionizing shopping at BTC City with SmartGifty

Dec 14, 2023

In today’s fast-paced world, shopping should be convenient, eco-friendly, and customizable. BTC City in Slovenia understands these demands and is

The Advantages of an Effortless Reward Redemption Process in Four Aspects

Nov 14, 2023

Promotors and referrals are closely connected, so why not offer an easy way for clients to redeem their earned digital

The popularity of gift cards has reached new heights

Ways in Which Businesses Utilize Gift Cards to Foster Employee and Customer Engagement

Oct 14, 2023

In the current business climate, employee and customer engagement is crucial in determining a company’s success. Engaging employees at work

Demonstrating Your Commitment to Sustainability through Gift Cards

Oct 6, 2023

In today’s world, consumers’ concerns about sustainability are on the rise, and for good reason. The environmental impact of our

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Gift Card: What Users Really Want

Sep 16, 2023

Gift cards have become a popular choice for presents, offering both givers and receivers flexibility and convenience. However, not all

The popularity of gift cards has reached new heights

Sep 14, 2023

Were you aware that the global gift card market is projected to expand from $800 billion to $1.6 trillion by

Better loyalty program, bigger customer acquisition

Aug 14, 2023

In today’s competitive digital market, attracting and retaining new customers is crucial for the growth of businesses, especially with crowded

Gift cards in general

Jul 14, 2023

We often talk about gift cards and the trends that are happening around them. But what even are gift cards? Gift

Top 4 Customer Retention Strategies

Jun 14, 2023

The ability of a brand or business to keep its clients over time is referred to as customer retention. It is

Can gift cards be their own currency?

May 14, 2023

The usage of gift cards in exchange for cash seems like a simple idea. Gift cards, on the other hand,

Your gift card program can help you increase user acquisition

Apr 14, 2023

In today’s competitive digital world, where areas like streaming entertainment and food delivery are becoming even more saturated, gaining new

Introduction to the loyalty program

Mar 14, 2023

Customers do, after all, possess greater power than ever. They are far more intelligent and have greater options available to

Increase your social media reach with gift cards

Feb 14, 2023

Every business now relies heavily on social media, and freebies are a profitable and popular marketing strategy to expand social

The Best Gift for Employee Appreciation

Jan 14, 2023

Everyone on your team might not be satisfied if you give every employee an identical present. Although many people will,

Gift Cards for your next (Christmas) campaign

Dec 14, 2022

Gift cards certainly have numerous benefits, which are strong features in general but are even more so from the perspective

Is bureaucracy and transparency important?

Building customers’ trust

Nov 14, 2022

Did you know that boosting your client retention rate by 5% can increase your profitability by up to 95% (HBR,

Is bureaucracy and transparency important?

Oct 14, 2022

One of the main goals when introducing something new is to optimize existing business processes and practices. Research shows that

Retail returns causing a dilemma

Sep 14, 2022

A headline from the beginning of the year in CNBC screams out “A $761 billion dilemma: Retailers’ returns jump as

8 profiles of shoppers

Aug 14, 2022

We all have different needs and wants when it comes to shopping, but did you know that there are 8

Can we live without mobile devices?

Jul 14, 2022

Have you ever thought about shopping and to what extent it can go? And have you ever wondered how important

Retail trends and what to expect in the future

Jun 14, 2022

The retail business has redefined not only how we purchase and sell, but also the great advantages that independent retailers

Sustainability for a better future

May 14, 2022

A lot of us agree that digitalization is the most important part of business development. More and more things are

Changes are not always a bad thing

Apr 14, 2022

It’s natural to believe that change is a bad thing at work. Change can be intimidating and frightening because it

Take control over your projects

Mar 7, 2022

Moving forward with your projects is not possible unless you understand what is happening with them. A lot of times,

Personalized and digitalized is a must

Feb 14, 2022

The industry of gifting has accepted the personalization of products several years ago and the trend is still important and

National Gift Card day

Jan 15, 2022

Did you know that there is a National Gift Card day in the United States? It happens on the 15th of January

Virtual gifts as the next big thing

Dec 14, 2021

We have been gifting one another for millions of years, starting with stones, handmade jewelry, clothes and all the way

Connecting the online and offline worlds

Dec 4, 2021

Connecting the offline and online world is yesterday’s news, but providing a good shopping customer experience is always in the

Trojan horse, Eiffel Tower and a gift card?

Nov 14, 2021

With the development of today’s world, and cultures deeply rooted in us, giving and receiving gifts such as clothes, household