CHRISTMAS


GIFT CARD SALES SURGE OVER UK’S FIRST


COVID CHRISTMAS


A Christmas spent living under Covid-19 restrictions has sparked a significant shift in the public’s gifting habits, according to data released by the Gift Card & Voucher Association (GCVA) working with GlobalData.


A


survey of 2,000 members


of the


public has revealed that one in four Brits (25.2%) purchased gift cards for others


in December, compared with 17.9% in November, with over a third of these (34.1%) directly highlighting lockdown restrictions


as


reason for doing so. Furthermore, leading brands such as Tesco Bank have reported a surge in gift card sales – particularly digital gift cards, which can be sent, received and spent through smartphone apps – over the Christmas period.


Considered approach Targeted, single-store gift cards were the gift of choice in December over multi-store alternatives, with 56.4% of gift card buyers purchasing single-store cards, compared with 32.4% for multi-store cards, indicating a thoughtful, considered approach to gifting from the public. Gaming gift cards also saw a notable uplift, with 11.3% of gift card buyers


their


purchasing, compared with 7.9% in November, which is demonstrative of gaming’s continued popularity as a hobby during lockdown. In 2020, GCVA figures revealed that digital gifting now represents 26% of all UK gift card spend, rising to 50% accounting for all gift cards spent online. Given Christmas was the most popular gifting occasion in 2019, representing 41.7% of total gift card spend according to GCVA research, the suggested move to digital this past Christmas may be indicative of a more long-term shift in the public’s gifting habits. The trade body, which represents more than 80 of the UK’s largest


retailers, issuers and suppliers, is now urging the public to spend any gift cards they may have received this Christmas; both treating themselves to a lockdown lift while providing a boost to the high street at a time when footfall plummeted by 46.1% year-on-year in December compared with the previous year, according to the British Retail Consortium.


Preferred gifts Gift cards swelled in popularity throughout 2020 as the UK sought to lift the spirits of loved ones in isolation. GCVA research found that gift cards were in fact preferred to physical gifts in the first lockdown, making up 14% of


total gifting


spend, compared with physical gifts at 12%.


Gail Cohen, director general of the GCVA, commented: “It has been great to see shoppers overcoming lockdown challenges and supporting their favourite brands by opting for a gift card Christmas. “Over the past year, the rise of


digital gifting solutions in particular is driving a major change in how we send and receive gifts, meaning they can be shared and enjoyed almost instantly, offering a safe way of gifting that still offers that truly personal touch. That said, physical gift cards having performed strongly too indicates


the importance of


retailers continuing to offer that tangible solution that consumers can still ‘unwrap’ on the big day. “If you did receive a gift card for Christmas this year, whether physical or digital, don’t just leave it in the bottom drawer and forget about it. It’s not a savings product, it is there for you to treat yourself, and what better time could there be to give yourself a boost than now? Many gift cards can be spent online from the comfort of your home, so log on and start spending!” Ban Mahsoub, head of gift cards


at Tesco Bank said: “We’re proud that our digital gifting service has been helping our customers give meaningful gifting experiences at a time when many have been unable to get to the shops or visit loved ones. “We know from customer insight and independent research that digital gifting is becoming an increasingly popular way of giving the perfect present, particularly to those hard to buy for friends and family. The recently launched service combines personalisation, digital unwrapping features and flexibility with some of the biggest brands in retail and entertainment, offering our customers even more choice and options.”


For more information, visit www.gcva.co.uk


WOODLODGE LAUNCHES NEW SNOWLODGE CHRISTMAS VIRTUAL PORTAL


Christmas may be but a distant memory, but Woodlodge is already feeling the festive spirit thanks to its newly launched Snowlodge Christmas Décor range. This offering, made up of over 1,400 products, is supported by a dedicated product hub where the full range is on display, whilst a newly introduced virtual experience will enable buyers to view the full range from the comfort of their office.


Featuring festive favourites such as stars, baubles, ornaments, figurines, lighting and plush, the new Snowlodge offering from Woodlodge represents a true one- stop-shop for all things Christmas. Garden centre buyers who want to get up close and personal


12 DIY WEEK FEBRUARY 2021


with the full range now have two options available to them, providing complete flexibility and Covid- Secure compliance. A dedicated product hub is available to view at the Cranmore Park Conference Centre in Solihull. Access to this winter wonderland is available by appointment only. Stocked with the complete Snowlodge offering, buyers will be walked through the area by a Woodlodge sales representative, who will outline the product USPs and can assist with direct ordering. This hub will be open until 31 March, with deliveries into retailers earmarked from 31 August 2021. Appreciating that current


restrictions mean some retailers may be unable to travel,


their centres ahead of the 2021 festive season. Access to the virtual portal will be available from your sales manager or by e-mailing taratruman@woodlodge.co.uk Retailers will also be pleased


Woodlodge has also launched a dedicated virtual showroom experience where buyers can ‘walk’ the product hub and browse the product offering from the comfort of their own office or home. Not only does this virtual portal minimise social contact, but it enables entire buying teams to view the Snowlodge Christmas Décor offering together, helping to make more definitive choices for


to learn that Woodlodge’s Honey & Wild range of garden décor will also be on display via both the hub and virtual portal. First launched at the company’s ‘Glee’ showroom, Glee@Woodlodge, in late 2020, the display will include a unique collection of fun, quirky products such as lanterns, metal statues, garden mirrors, ironware, wall planters, bird feeders, plant supports and garden mobiles. Further details about


Woodlodge’s collections can be found at www.woodlodge.co.uk


www.diyweek.net


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36