PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1961610
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1961610
Gift cards are prepaid cards provided by retailers, financial institutions, or other organizations, which can be used as a payment method. They are intended to be given as gifts or rewards, offering recipients the ability to select their preferred items.
There are several types of gift cards, universal open-loop, sports gift cards, e-gifting, restaurant closed-loop, retail closed-loop, and miscellaneous closed-loop. Universal open-loop gift cards can be used at any retailer that accepts major credit card networks, providing broad flexibility for various purchases. Additionally, gift cards are categorized by price into low ($0-200), medium ($200-400), and high (over $400) ranges, serving multiple purposes such as personal finance, marketing and promotions, hospitality and travel, education, non-profit and charity, among others. The primary users of gift cards include retail businesses and corporate entities.
Tariffs have impacted the gift cards market by increasing the cost of physical card production and associated retail infrastructure, particularly affecting closed-loop retail and restaurant gift card segments in regions such as North America and Europe. The higher import duties on plastic cards, electronic components, and packaging materials have led to cost escalations for manufacturers and retailers, resulting in potential price adjustments for consumers. However, the tariffs have also encouraged a shift toward digital and e-gifting solutions, boosting adoption of virtual gift cards and mobile payment platforms, creating new opportunities in the digital gifting segment.
The gift cards market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides gift cards market statistics, including gift cards industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a gift cards market share, detailed gift cards market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the gift cards industry. This gift cards market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The gift cards market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $1498.2 billion in 2025 to $1729.02 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising retail promotions, increase in holiday season gifting, popularity of prepaid cards, growth of e-commerce, expanding consumer spending.
The gift cards market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3037.35 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to digital wallet integration, growth in mobile commerce, demand for customizable gifting solutions, expansion of corporate incentive programs, rising adoption of contactless payments. Major trends in the forecast period include rise in digital gift card adoption, growth of contactless and mobile payments, increasing corporate gifting programs, expansion of online and e-gifting platforms, demand for personalized and customizable gift cards.
The expanding food service sector is expected to drive growth in the gift cards market moving forward. The food service sector includes establishments that prepare and serve meals and beverages to customers, such as restaurants, cafeterias, catering services, and food trucks. This growth is fueled by increasing consumer demand for convenient dining options, evolving preferences towards healthier and more diverse cuisines, and the ongoing trend of urbanization. Gift cards play a crucial role in the food service sector by fostering customer loyalty, attracting new patrons, improving cash flow, and promoting brand awareness. For instance, as of June 2024, U.S. retail and food services sales totaled $704.3 billion, marking a 2.3% increase compared to June 2023, according to data from the United States Census Bureau. Hence, the robust expansion of the food service sector is a significant driver for the growth of the gift cards market.
Key players in the gift cards market are increasingly focusing on innovative solutions to enhance the digital gift card experience and meet evolving consumer preferences. Customizable and animated e-gift cards are a notable example, allowing consumers to personalize their digital gift cards with custom messages, images, and dynamic visual elements, creating a more engaging and personalized gifting experience. For instance, Givex Corp., a Canada-based fintech company, introduced customizable and animated e-gift cards in October 2023. These e-gift cards enable customers to add personalized images, video messages, and themed designs, making the digital gift card delivery a memorable experience. Additionally, the incorporation of captivating animations adds an element of surprise and delight when the e-gift card arrives in the recipient's inbox, enhancing the overall gifting experience. This innovation reflects Givex's commitment to advancing technology and providing merchants with cutting-edge tools to enhance customer engagement.
In May 2024, Blackhawk Network, a U.S.-based prepaid and payment network service company, acquired Tango Card Inc. to bolster its global rewards platform. This acquisition aims to combine Tango Card's expertise in business-to-business incentives with Blackhawk's scale and industry leadership, offering customers comprehensive, global, and technologically advanced rewards and incentives solutions. Tango Card Inc., based in the U.S., specializes in e-gift and prepaid cards, aligning strategically with Blackhawk Network's goals to expand its offerings and capabilities in the rewards and incentives market.
Major companies operating in the gift cards market are Amazon.com Inc, Apple Inc, Target Corporation, American Express Company, Best Buy Co Inc, Starbucks Coffee Company, PayPal Holdings Inc, Fiserv Inc, Block Inc, Corpay Inc, InComm Payments, QwikCilver Solutions Pvt Ltd, Pine Labs Pvt Ltd, Givex Corporation, Paytronix Systems Inc, National Gift Card Corp, Card USA Inc, Yiftee Inc, Jifiti, Village Roadshow Ltd, Kindcard Inc, Giftcards.com LLC, Tango Card Inc, Gyft Inc, eGifter LLC, Rybbon Inc, Voucherify
North America was the largest region in the gift cards market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the gift cards market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.
The countries covered in the gift cards market report are Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain.
The gift cards market includes revenues earned by entities by providing retail gift cards, general-purpose gift cards, online retailer gift cards, service gift cards, and charity gift cards. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Gift Cards Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses gift cards market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for gift cards ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The gift cards market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
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