Gift Cards

Dunkin' Donuts launched a daily deal through Groupon on Dec. 30 that is aimed toward first-time Groupon customers, said Jessica Gioglio, public relations and social media manager at Dunkin' Brands Inc.

Online shoppers are increasingly giving gift cards - especially when planning to shop late in the season - and using their mobile phones to buy them this year, according to a survey from CashStar.

Staples has launched an electronic gift card service for consumers in partnership with CashStar, a digital incentive and rewards company. The retailer's goal is to give consumers a more convenient way to purchase gift cards and help them to order, personalize and send them via e-mail.

A new report finds that on the eve of the 2010 holiday shopping season, a number of marketers are neglecting the digital version of that now age-old gifting icon: the gift card.

Outdoor retailer Bass Pro Shops has tapped mobile commerce and marketing firm Transaction Wireless to create its first mobile gift card program, which will go live in next year's first quarter. When the mobile program launches next year, consumers will be able to customize online gift cards by incorporating personalized text, videos and voice messages.

Sears Holdings Corp. has introduced the Sears and Kmart Christmas Club gift card program, which allows consumers to save ahead for their holiday purchases at Sears and Kmart stores or online at either merchant's Web site. Consumers who sign up before October 31 can earn up to a 3% reward, up to a maximum of $100, based on upon the stored value on their cards as of November 14.