Gift hunting is pass?; gift card is in

Founded in 2011, a one stop-shop for all your Gift Cards & Gift Vouchers needs, Gift Cards India (GCI) understands that the quality of a gift depends upon the sincerity of the giver.

 

Retailer Media caught up with Firoz Khan, Co-Founder & CEO, Gift Cards India. Feroz elaborated his vision on the Indian gifting market and said that the market is estimated to grow at an exponential rate, to $2.3 billion by the end of 2016. “We at GCI have observed the individual behaviour too has changed towards gifting where gift card has become a more convenient gift than anything,” he added.

 

What is Gift Cards India (GCI) and what business model it follows?

Gift Cards India is a one-stop shop for the consumers Gift Card & Gift Voucher needs. GCI is India's largest aggregator for gift cards, aims at providing a hassle- free and enjoyable shopping experience to shoppers across the globe with the widest range of brands on its portal. Started with a small set of brands selling through its premier online portal www.giftcardsindia.in (GCI), since then has more than 250 top retail brands across categories selling through multi-channel online and offline distribution network.

GCI aims at solving the real time delivery of the gift cards for instant gratification. For this, GCI is working on an application which will help consumers redeem their gift cards in real time at their favourite brand.GCI provides a full solution to resellers and bulk buyers with the ability to easily distribute gift cards to their customers from our retail network.

 

What are your expansion plans for the Indian market?

GCI plans to expand its distribution network pan-India so that the gift cards can be ordered from most convenient locations. GCI also plans to introduce its own prepaid gift cards in the digital and physical form to reach out to a larger audience.

It aims at leading the prepaid products market by providing innovative products and services.

 

Do you have plans for global expansion?

Yes, we are looking at eventually launching our own Digital Gift Card for the global market. We plan to explore - US, UK & Singapore markets as well.

 

Can you please throw some light on the association front of GCI?

GCI works closely with all its 250 brand partners and banks to market and sell their gift cards.

 

Do you think the evolution of e-gifting has started in the Indian market?

There has been an evolution in the online gifting space especially the way people buy for one another. With the advent of digital gifts and cyber deliveries, there are now easier ways to give and receive gifts. The traditional gift cards take the guesswork out of picking a present whereas e-gift cards take the work out of gift-giving almost entirely.

 

Time is money - and the most time and labour-intensive part of buying a gift is often figuring out what to buy. Online hints and tips eliminate this part of the process.

 

Most of the times we have bought or received gifts that didn’t fit or are not quite right; and dealing with retailer return and exchange policies can be too time consuming. Online gifting options can ensure we don’t pick or receive the wrong gifts.

 

What are the advantages of Pre paid and gifts card?

With Indian consumers increasingly moving away from traditional gifting to personalised options, there is a lot of scope for the online gifting sector. Pre-paid and gifts cards are designed with an aim to make the shopping experience for the consumers hassle-free. Many a times, people do not have the time and patience to physically go and purchase gifts; this is where gift cards can be used. Gift cards are more secured than giving cash or paper gift vouchers. It provides the recipient with an array of brands and services to select from.