Social media is becoming a key channel for brands to interact with target and current customers. Social gifting is emerging as a new way for retailers to engage consumers more easily — even while on the go. Below is a snapshot of nine companies that are spearheading the social gifting movement, and are helping retailers better keep pace with tech-savvy consumers.
Boomerang Ties Social Gifting To Email Marketing
As a B2B and B2C platform, Boomerang is designed to help brands and retailers drive engagement and evangelism through social gifting campaigns. Retailers can share coupons and offers via email marketing campaigns or through social networks. Consumers also can utilize Boomerang to send gift cards to social connections. The platform integrates with Facebook, allowing users to access birthdays and friend lists, and send free and paid gift cards directly from a central location.
Facebook Adds New Gifting Feature
Facebook Gifts allows members to purchase and share gifts with friends and family without leaving the Facebook web site. Products and services from merchants including Magnolia Bakery, Starbucks and Warby Parker are available on Facebook Gifts. Users can select, purchase and share gifts with friends and family either by clicking on a birthday reminder on the Facebook home page, or by clicking a “Gifts” tab on a user’s wall. Payment information can be entered before or after a gift is received.
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DropGifts Solutions Integrates Gifts And Samples With Referral Marketing
DropGifts Solutions, a social media service provider, helps retailers execute social gifting and sampling strategies to drive customer engagement, acquisition and loyalty. A social gifting tool is available to help turn a brand’s Facebook page into a destination for fans and followers to share gifts and promotions, leading to improved brand impressions. Retailers also can partner with DropGifts Solutions to execute referral marketing campaigns. Customer data and analytics are available via the DropGifts platform, so organizations can understand key behaviors and preferences of gift senders and receivers.
eGifter Creates A Cohesive View Of Customer Connections
Using eGifter, consumers an synch up connections from Facebook, Google+ and LinkedIn in real time within a single platform. Contact information from email accounts also can be integrated into eGifter. As a result, users can see all upcoming birthdays, and then send paid and free gift cards from retailers such as CVS/pharmacy, JCPenney, Overstock.com and Piperlime. A variety of quick-serve chains, restaurants and entertainment outlets also are eGifter partners. Additionally, consumers can send a CharityChoice gift card, which allows a gift recipient to make a donation to the charity of their choice, including the American Red Cross and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Gyft Makes The Mobile Wallet Connection
Gyft is a digital platform and mobile app that enables consumers to store and manage gift cards in a central location. Available for iOS and Android devices, Gyft creates a digital mobile wallet that helps consumers redeem and send cards, as well as re-gift unused cards to friends. Current retail partners include Blue Nile and 1-800-Flowers.
Jifiti Helps Drive Brick-And-Mortar Sales
Jifiti is an in-store social gifting smartphone app designed to help connect the dots between brick-and-mortar stores and consumers’ mobile devices. With mobile barcode scanning and gift card redemption, the Jifiti app allows shoppers to scan products and add them to custom wish lists. Family members and friends access these lists in order to purchase gifts. Once a gift is purchased, Jifiti recipients receive a mobile notification, as well as a gift card number, which they use to pick up the item in a store. Brands and retailers currently featuring Jifiti include: Banana Republic, Build-a-Bear Workshop, Coach, Sephora, The Container Store and Toys “R” Us.
Treater Delivers Gift Cards Across Channels
Treater is a social and mobile gifting platform available for iPhone and Android devices. Using the app, consumers can find friends through Facebook, pick a treat and send it in real time via the social network, email or text message. Shoppers can redeem offers or share them with their friends and family. Once an offer is redeemed, it is presented on a customer’s smartphone as a Treat Card, which is a one-time-use payment card that can be redeemed at the in-store point of sale. By partnering with Treater, merchants can release item-specific promotions and incentives to new and prospective customers.
Wrapp Bridges The Gap Between Mobile And Social
Wrapp is a mobile app designed to allow consumers to purchase gift cards and share them with friends on Facebook and via email. Retailers such as Fab.com, Gap, H&M and Sephora are using the Wrapp digital app to help consumers give, receive and redeem free and paid gift cards. Social media connections also can contribute to gift cards already sent to users via Facebook and the Wrapp app. Consumers who receive gift cards can complete purchases either via mobile, through the e-Commerce site or in a store.
YouGift Personalizes Digital Gift Cards
YouGift is a social gifting web site that personalizes online gift cards. Consumers can create digital cards by choosing from a series of templates and animated designs, adding pictures and unique messages. Then, users choose from a variety of brands and retailers, and attach a specific dollar amount. Current YouGift partners include: Groupon, Hot Topic, Starbucks and Zappos. Cards are published directly on the gift recipient’s Facebook timeline.
