How to buy gift cards in bulk

Gift cards are powerful tools for businesses and researchers. They can drive customer loyalty, boost employee morale, and incentivize desired behaviors. 

Buying gift cards in bulk can amplify these benefits. Here’s a look at how to buy gift cards en masse and the many ways you can implement them strategically.

Why should you buy gift cards in bulk?

Buying gift cards in bulk offers several advantages. It's cost-effective. It saves time. It simplifies reward distribution.

Businesses often need large quantities of gift cards. They use them for everything from employee recognition to customer appreciation to marketing campaigns. When you buy in bulk, you can meet demand efficiently.

Bulk purchases also allow for better planning. You can stock up for future needs. This way, you're always prepared to fulfill reward, incentive, and employee recognition programs.

Use cases for buying gift cards in bulk

Human resources departments

HR teams frequently use gift cards. They're perfect for employee recognition programs. Birthdays, work anniversaries, and performance milestones all warrant celebration.

Bulk gift cards make it easy to reward employees consistently. They're a versatile solution for various HR initiatives.

Employee recognition is crucial for retention. One study found that a thoughtfully structured recognition program can reduce turnover by 43%.

And, while 65% of employees prefer cash over other types of rewards, monetary payouts lack the personalized touch of specific gifts.

Gift cards offer the best of both worlds. As shown in a University of Wisconsin study, employees are more motivated to receive gift cards than equivalent cash payouts. Why? Because gift cards are viewed as "fun money," which encourages people to treat themselves rather than buying mundane things like groceries.  

They’re flexible for the sender, too. Gift cards can be used for various HR initiatives, from onboarding gifts to performance bonuses. This versatility makes them an ideal choice for bulk purchasing.

By buying gift cards in bulk, HR departments can ensure they're always prepared to recognize and reward employees. This proactive approach can lead to a more engaged, motivated, and loyal workforce.

Marketing teams

Marketers love gift cards. They're effective for lead generation, customer acquisition, and brand loyalty programs. And bulk purchasing is conducive to larger-scale campaigns.

Gift cards can incentivize everything from social media engagement to survey participation. As shown in one study, they can increase survey response rates by up to 19%.

Rebates and cash-back programs using gift cards can be powerful marketing tools. And our research on consumer rebate strategies found that customers greatly prefer receiving a gift card of choice over store credit or a mailed check.

Plus, gift cards can be an integral part of loyalty programs. And your loyalty program members can generate up to 18% more incremental revenue than non-members. 

For lead gen and market research, gift cards are invaluable. They can boost participation rates in surveys and focus groups. When recruiting survey participants, offering gift card incentives can significantly increase response rates and data quality.

Referral programs powered by gift card rewards can be highly effective. Referred customers are 200% more likely to spend than non-referred customers. They also have a 4x higher lifetime value and convert 5x faster than customers acquired through other means. Bulk gift card purchases ensure marketers always have rewards on hand for successful referrals.

Customization options make gift cards even more appealing for marketing campaigns. Some bulk gift card providers allow you to create co-branded cards or fully customize gift cards with your company’s logo. With customizable cards you can reinforce brand recognition at no added cost.

Digital gift cards, which can be easily purchased in bulk, offer unique advantages for marketers. They can be delivered instantly, making them perfect for time-sensitive campaigns or immediate rewards. 

Gift cards can also be used as part of a retention strategy, rewarding loyal customers and encouraging repeat business. Remember, a 5% increase in retention can lead to a 95% increase in profits. 

By buying gift cards in bulk, marketing teams can be prepared for any campaign or initiative. Whether it's a large-scale rebate program, a referral campaign, or a customer appreciation initiative, having a stock of gift cards ensures marketers can act quickly and effectively.

Sales departments

Sales teams use gift cards to motivate performance. They're ideal for sales contests and quota achievements. Bulk purchasing ensures rewards are always on hand.

Gift cards can also be used to thank clients or prospects. They're a tangible way to show appreciation.

Bulk gift cards allow HR teams to implement consistent recognition programs. These programs can have substantial business impact. Companies with well-designed incentive programs see 83% of sales reps reach or exceed their annual goals, compared to an industry average of 47%.

Channel incentives, which often include gift cards, can significantly boost sales and revenue. By providing compelling rewards, you motivate partners to actively market and sell your products. 

This increased engagement often leads to improved sales performance and notable revenue growth. Ultimately, a well-structured incentives program can boost sales by as much as 44%. And research shows that incentives can even increase innovation at small companies.

For sales teams targeting high-value accounts, gift cards can be an effective part of Account-Based Marketing (ABM) campaigns. ABM focuses on a small number of high-potential accounts, delivering hyper-personalized content and experiences. This approach often yields higher ROI for companies targeting enterprise clients.

Gift cards offer flexibility in reward distribution, which is crucial for sales teams. They can be used for immediate recognition of achievements, helping to reinforce positive behaviors and maintain motivation throughout sales cycles.

By having a stock of gift cards on hand, sales managers can respond quickly to recognition opportunities. This agility can boost morale and motivation, potentially leading to increased sales performance.

Customer service teams

Customer service departments benefit from bulk gift cards. They're perfect for resolving issues or thanking loyal customers. Having a stock of gift cards allows for quick, meaningful gestures.

Gift cards can turn negative experiences into positive ones. In a survey on service failures, 98% of respondents said they’ll stay loyal if a company resolves a service failure and offers a gift card or discount. Without a reward, that number drops to 63%. 

Gift cards also play a crucial role in proactive customer service. A recent survey found that 62% of consumers expect companies to anticipate their needs. Having gift cards on hand allows customer support teams to exceed expectations with timely, relevant offers.

Bulk gift card purchases enable customer service teams to implement consistent recovery and appreciation programs. This consistency is crucial — 77% of consumers view brands more favorably if they solicit and implement customer feedback. Gift cards can be a tangible way to show customers that their input is valued.

By having a stock of gift cards, customer service teams can respond quickly to opportunities for customer delight. This immediacy can significantly enhance the customer experience and boost loyalty.

Research professionals

Research operations managers need gift cards to incentivize participation. They're essential for market research, UX studies, academic research, and medical industry studies.

Gift cards make it easier to recruit and retain study participants. They're a standardized way to compensate contributors across different research initiatives.

Incentives significantly impact research outcomes. Studies show that incentives can boost study response rates by up to 19%. They also improve participant retention and response quality.

For companies conducting ongoing research, having bulk gift cards on hand streamlines operations. When analyzing the impact of incentives on research outcomes, one study found that rewards help attract more diverse participant pools and increase completion rates.

Ultimately, bulk gift cards offer research professionals a powerful tool to enhance their studies, providing a flexible, efficient, and participant-friendly way to incentivize participation across various fields. 

And, by simplifying the incentive process, researchers can focus more on gathering high-quality data and less on the logistics of compensation.

Class action administrators

Class action administrators handle complex payment distributions. They need reliable, scalable solutions for sending legal disbursements. Bulk gift cards provide an efficient way to handle these payments.

Speed and accuracy are crucial in legal settlements. Digital payment methods like gift cards can reduce settlement administration time by weeks compared to traditional check-based systems.

Bulk gift card purchases help class action administrators:

• Distribute payments quickly and securely

• Reduce operational errors

• Save on administrative costs

• Prevent fraud and security breaches

• Provide a smooth recipient experience

Security is paramount in legal disbursements. Modern digital gift card systems can incorporate fraud prevention measures that have been shown to save millions in potentially fraudulent payouts.

That’s key, because sophisticated fraudsters often target class action settlements. For instance, the recent Celsius Holdings settlement found that 49% of its 1.77 million claimants were bogus. And, in 2014, Juul reported that 80% of its 14.4 million claimants were from scammers.

With class action settlements topping $54 billion in 2023, administrators need robust solutions to stop fraud while ensuring efficient distribution. Bulk gift card systems with advanced security features offer a powerful tool to meet these challenges.

Benefits of buying in bulk

Bulk gift card purchases offer several strategic advantages for companies looking to streamline their reward and incentive programs.

Cost savings

Buying gift cards in bulk often comes with discounts. Vendors may offer lower prices for large orders. This can result in significant savings, especially for ongoing programs.

Bulk purchases also reduce per-unit costs. Shipping and handling fees are spread across more items. This leads to better overall value.

Some providers may offer tiered pricing structures, where the per-unit cost decreases as the order size increases. Be sure to compare offers from multiple vendors to ensure you're getting the best deal.

Less administrative work

Bulk ordering streamlines the procurement process. Instead of multiple small orders, you handle one large transaction. This reduces paperwork and administrative overhead.

Bulk gift cards also simplify budgeting and forecasting. You can plan for gift card needs in advance. This leads to more efficient financial management.

Imagine a marketing team that runs frequent customer acquisition campaigns. By purchasing gift cards in bulk, they can set up a "reward bank" that campaign managers can draw from as needed. This eliminates the need for repeated purchase approvals and allows for more agile campaign management.

For maximum efficiency, you could integrate your bulk gift card system with your existing workflow tools. The best providers offer APIs and integrations that can automate the distribution process, further reducing administrative burden.

Improved inventory management

Buying in bulk allows for better inventory control. You always have gift cards on hand when needed. This eliminates last-minute scrambles for rewards or incentives.

It also allows for more strategic use of gift cards. You can plan campaigns and programs with confidence, knowing you have the necessary resources.

For a sales team running ongoing performance incentives, having a stock of gift cards means they can reward top performers immediately. The instant gratification can boost morale and motivation, potentially leading to increased sales performance.

Consistent branding

Bulk purchases often allow for customization. You can add your company logo or message to gift cards. This creates a more cohesive brand experience.

Customized gift cards also feel more personal. They show thoughtfulness and attention to detail. This can enhance the impact of your rewards or incentives.

A tech company launching a new product could use branded gift cards as part of their early adopter program. These customized cards not only reward customers but also serve as a marketing tool, reinforcing brand awareness every time the card is used.

💡Pro tip: When designing custom gift cards, be sure to align them with your overall brand guidelines. Use consistent colors, fonts, and messaging. You might even create different designs for various campaigns or departments, allowing for targeted branding while maintaining overall consistency.

Flexibility in distribution

Having a stock of gift cards provides flexibility. You can respond quickly to recognition opportunities. This agility can boost morale and motivation.

It also allows for spontaneous rewards. You can surprise employees or customers without delay. This immediacy can increase the positive impact of the gesture.

In a customer service setting, representatives could have the authority to send small gift card rewards to resolve issues or thank loyal customers. This empowerment can lead to higher customer satisfaction and potentially reduce churn rates.

To maintain flexibility without compromising control, consider implementing a tiered approval system for gift card distribution. Lower-value cards could be sent at the discretion of team leaders, while higher-value rewards might require executive approval, ensuring speed while maintaining oversight of larger expenditures.

Better planning 

Bulk purchasing supports smarter long-term planning. You can align gift card inventory with annual initiatives. This ensures you're prepared for recurring events or campaigns.

It also allows for more strategic use of rewards. You can plan larger, more impactful programs knowing you have the necessary resources.

A retail company could plan its entire year of customer loyalty rewards in advance. By aligning gift card purchases with projected sales and seasonal promotions, they can create a comprehensive strategy that maximizes the impact of their reward program.

How buying bulk gift cards works with Tremendous

Tremendous simplifies the entire process of bulk gift card purchases, from ordering to distribution.

Here's how it works:

1. Choose your gift cards: Select from our extensive catalog. We offer options from top brands across various categories.

2. Decide on quantities: Order as many gift cards as you need. Our platform can handle orders of any size.

3. Customize, if desired: Add your company logo or message to the gift cards. This option is available for bulk orders.

4. Place your order: Our intuitive interface makes ordering easy. You can complete the process in minutes.

5. Manage distribution: Use our platform to send gift cards electronically. Or, opt for physical cards if preferred.

6. Track usage: Monitor redemption rates and other metrics. Our analytics help you measure the impact of your gift card program.

Plus, with Tremendous, you get:

• No fees: We don't charge extra for bulk orders. You only pay for the gift cards themselves.

• Global reach: Our platform supports gift card distribution in over 200 countries.

• Customization options: Tailor the redemption experience to your brand.

• Automated tax compliance: We help you collect forms from reward recipients who exceed $600 in a single year.

• Integration capabilities: Connect Tremendous to your existing systems for seamless workflow.

Buying gift cards in bulk doesn't have to be complicated. With Tremendous, it's a simple, efficient process. You get the benefits of bulk purchasing without the hassle.

Ready to streamline your gift card procurement? Sign up for Tremendous today. Or, book a demo to see how we can support your bulk gift card needs.