How Top Brands Use Gift Cards to Win Peak Season

Peak season is approaching quickly - and for top-performing brands, that means one thing: it’s time to maximise every channel, every touchpoint, and every opportunity to grow.

While retailers fine-tune their eCommerce campaigns and stock up for the holidays, there’s one revenue-driving hero that often doesn’t get the spotlight it deserves: gift cards.

Smart brands know that a strategic gift card program can do more than plug a gap - it can unlock new customers, build loyalty, and deliver a serious revenue boost at exactly the right moment.

So, how are leading brands using gift cards to win during peak season? Let’s break it down 👇

1. Driving last-minute (and high-intent) sales 🎯

December is the season of the last-minute shopper - and digital gift cards are the perfect solution. No shipping delays. No stock issues. No stress.

Plus, we can get a fully branded eCommerce site up and running in six weeks, meaning you can start selling, and fast.

Here’s the opportunity:
According to the UK Gift Card & Voucher Association (GCVA), over 60% of consumers planned to purchase at least one gift card during the festive season - with digital gift cards showing the highest growth year on year.

With Tillo, retailers can get their gift cards in front of millions of high-intent buyers via our partner network, including cashback sites, loyalty platforms, and corporate gifting channels - all with zero hassle.

2. Unlocking new revenue streams through B2B 💸

It’s not just consumers shopping this season - businesses are buying too.

From staff incentives to client gifts, the corporate market for gift cards is booming in Q4. But many retailers are still missing out because they haven’t tapped into the right partners or distribution networks.

By working with us, you gain instant access to a global ecosystem of B2B buyers - all actively looking for gift cards to power their own holiday campaigns. And with customisable discounting and reporting tools, you stay in control while scaling with confidence.

3. Turning new buyers into loyal customers 🤝

A gift card isn’t the end of the journey - it’s the beginning of a brand-new relationship.

During peak season, many customers will receive your gift card from someone else. That gives you a golden opportunity to wow them with your products, service, and brand experience - and turn a one-time gift into long-term loyalty.

Top brands use gift cards to:

• Bring new shoppers into their ecosystem
• Encourage newsletter signups and app downloads
• Fuel repeat purchases through loyalty and referral programs

By working with Tillo, you’ll have the data and tools to track redemptions and behaviours, so you can build meaningful post-purchase journeys that bring customers back again and again.

4. Boosting average order value 📈

Gift card recipients often spend more than the value of the card - especially during peak shopping periods when promotions and bundles are in full swing.

Whether it’s combining multiple cards for a bigger purchase, using one to cover shipping costs, or splurging on something they wouldn’t usually buy, gift cards help increase average spend and reduce cart abandonment.

At Tillo, we support flexible redemption options, seamless eCommerce integration, and flexible gifting options - making it easier than ever for shoppers to redeem, upgrade, and enjoy.

5. Gaining powerful seasonal insights 🧠

Peak season is a goldmine for data - but only if you’re capturing the right insights.

Gift cards offer a unique window into buyer behaviour, helping you see who’s gifting, who’s redeeming, and what drives conversions during your busiest months.

With Tillo, you get real-time dashboards, deep analytics, and custom reporting that help you optimise performance now - and plan even better for next year.

Ready to win peak season?

If gift cards aren’t at the centre of your peak season strategy yet, it’s time to rethink.

At Tillo, we help retailers maximise gift card performance through a connected, scalable platform that makes it easy to drive revenue, reach new customers, and deliver unforgettable brand experiences - just when it matters most.

🎁 Let’s make this your most successful peak season yet. Talk to us about boosting your gift card strategy today.