Wash Wisdom: 10 ways to increase holiday sales with gift cards - Professional Carwashing & Detailing

Wash Wisdom: 10 ways to increase holiday sales with gift cards

In this week’s Wash Wisdom, we discover how drive in more business using gift cards.

According to the article “10 Awesome Tips for Using Gift Cards to Boost Your Holiday Sales” by contributor Rieva Lesonsky on smallbiztrends.com, gift cards are no longer just an option for major retailers to offer. “[In] fact, a new study reports, half of U.S. consumers are very open to buying gift cards from small, independent retailers. And more than one-third admit they frequently buy gift cards for themselves,” Lesonsky says. As such, Lesonsky offers 10 tips for how to make the most of offering gift cards to boost sales this holiday season:

  • Offer physical and electronic options. While most shoppers still plan to buy plastic cards, e-gift cards are a growing trend, especially with young shoppers who like to carry as little as possible aside from their phones. E-cards not only take just hours to set up (as opposed to waiting days or weeks for plastic ones), but they provide a new option for shoppers who need gifts at the last min fute or who don’t want to deal with crowds. In addition, when someone purchases an e-gift card, you not only capture their information, but that of the recipient as well, allowing you to market to both of them at a later date.
  • Use social media promotions. Whether plastic or electronic (but especially if you have e-gift cards), promote them on your social media pages.
  • Market to self-givers. It’s more popular than you might think for customers to purchase these cards for their own use, so create promotions prompting them to get a little something for themselves while shopping for others too.
  • Promote purchases using gift cards. You can use discounts as leverage to push buyers into spending at a threshold. For instance, give a $10 gift card for every $35 worth of merchandise purchased, and so on. In addition, you can even send gift cards (by mail or email) to customers because typically, when they purchase with a gift card, they end up spending more than the gift card is worth, so the cost to you is worth it.
  • Offer discounts on gift cards. By offering discounts on the cards themselves (such as $20 for a $25 gift card), you can again nudge people into buying.
  • Have a gift card display near the register. Since they are often an impulse or last minute buy, create an attractive display filled with the cards themselves and envelopes or boxes for them.
  • Use gift cards as loyalty program rewards. Since they are often seen as more valuable than discounts, reward your loyalty program members with cards instead of or alongside discounts so you can drive up your business sales.
  • Ramp up gift card promotions right before Hanukkah and Christmas. Shoppers get desperate as the holidays draw near, so gift cards become an attractive solution. Promote them as something that recipients can use after the crazy bustle of the holiday season (since most are used in January and February) when there are several post-holiday deals.
  • Target your marketing. Emphasize in your marketing that gift cards are the perfect gift for anyone — teachers, employees, clients, etc.
  • Start now. If you haven’t already added gift cards to your seasonal promotions, don’t wait. Most people have already begun their holiday shopping, and the more choices you can offer, the better a chance you have of increasing your business.

You can find the full article here.

You May Also Like

Carwash loyalty programs

Simple marketing tips to get the ball rolling.

Why should a new carwash investor consider starting a membership or loyalty program? First, membership solves a lot of a carwash’s pain points, including overcoming weather challenges and creating additional revenue streams. Also, having a steady stream of revenue also reassures lenders and will improve your chances of getting financing when you need it.

Promoting 101: How to advertise your carwash

From your social media presence to your logo, is your business’ advertising working?

Why and how to capture consumer data

Tips and best practices to implement without hampering production.

The battle for data

Tech giants are remodeling how businesses leverage customer data.

data, Big Tech, cybersecurity
5 habits of highly successful businesses

These social media habits will grow and brand your business.

social media, habits

Other Posts

Carwash celebrates six decades serving city

TORRINGTON, Conn. — Russell Speeder’s acquired the site, formerly named Olympic Car Wash, in June 2023.

PRT introduces 22 new Complete Strut Assemblies products

The new items come to expand the PRT portfolio in the North American market and represents more than 12 million vehicles in new coverage.

ADD Group is presenting various product lines at AM Shanghai 2023 

The group will be exhibiting a full line of shocks, struts and complete strut assemblies, besides air shocks, strut mounts, motor mounts and engine sealing parts.

PRT Launches 32 New Products on Complete Strut Assemblies

The new items represent more than 10 million vehicles in new coverage, and come to expand the PRT brand portfolio in the North American aftermarket.