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Bulk gift card purchase can be a lifesaver for you if you are a business owner or HR personnel! The gift card industry is estimated to grow to 1.9 trillion USD by 2027 and most of this, about 70 percent of this comes from the USA and Europe! This means that more and more companies and business owners are investing in these amazing reward and recognition tools.
In this blog, we will discuss the advantages and best practices of purchasing bulk gift cards for corporate gifting and employee rewards.
What are bulk gift cards?
Bulk gift cards for employees offer a cost-effective way for organizations to distribute prepaid gift cards in large quantities while staying within budget and aligning with company values.
Buying gift cards in small sets as and when needed can cost the company more in terms of activation time, activation fee and the limitation with the platforms that you want to offer to your employees.
On the other hand, buying bulk gift cards is a time-saving and cost-effective solution for HR teams and business owners. Gift cards boost employee morale and productivity, making them a top reward and recognition tool.
E-gift cards or digital gift cards are the most flexible and versatile type of gift cards. These cards are most preferred over physical cards as employees can use them digitally over numerous platforms. Such gift cards are sometimes backed by Visa, Mastercard or American Express which makes them secured for payment as well.
E-gift cards can be purchased online from gifting platforms for your specific business needs with white labeled content.
The power of gift cards as employee rewards
89 percent of employers use gift cards to reward employees and recognize their service and efforts at work. They enhance employee recognition, strengthen workplace relationships, and support incentive programs.
Additionally, they contribute to sustainability by reducing waste from physical gift cards. These customizable cards can feature company branding and personal messages, making them a meaningful reward.
The most popular gift card values are between 5 and 500 USD and are linked with popular services such as Amazon and other retailer cards, restaurant cards, VISA/ Mastercard and American Express powered gift cards etc.
With flexible expiration dates and vendor selection, bulk gift cards provide a hassle-free, versatile gifting solution.
Why should you buy gift cards in bulk?
Buying gift cards in bulk saves time, reduces costs, and makes employee gifting effortless. Here’s why it’s a smart choice for rewarding your team!
1.Cost savings and budget management
Buying gift cards in bulk helps companies reduce spending and optimize employee rewards programs. Key benefits include:
- Lower activation fees – Bulk purchases reduce per-card activation costs.
- Faster activation – Eliminates the need for manual activation of individual cards.
- Wider brand access – Provides employees with a broader selection of partnered brands.
- Enhanced support – Offers better customization, white labeling, discounts, and priority service for future gifting needs.
2.Streamlined administration and distribution
As an HR manager or a business owner, you are constantly wondering how to reward employees but with gift cards, your search is complete. Gift cards are easier on the management than other benefit programs and schemes - they can be bought from a vendor or a platform instantly and they can be distributed to employees just as easily too.
Using an employee reward management software, you can buy gift cards in bulk, activate them, allot them to employees based on their achievements and services to the company and then distribute them within minutes via email or SMS.
3.Customization and personalization
Another amazing benefit from an employer perspective is the availability of white labeling for gift cards which helps in creating a brand image and drives brand loyalty in employees.
When employees receive branded gifts, they become a trophy item that helps them become a part of something big and meaningful. Since both the employer and the employee benefit mutually from branded gifting options, custom and personalized gift cards have become a new trend.
When you purchase gift cards in bulk, you can easily get them customized using your company logo, brand name, images of your choice and even place the name of the employee or the reason for the gift such as birthdays, anniversary, workplace achievements etc.
This makes employees feel more valued and helps in fostering a lasting relationship with the brand. 57 percent of employees agree they love to work for a company that provides custom gifts.
4.Employee choice and flexibility
A gift card alone may not complete your rewards program, but giving employees the freedom to choose their preferred card adds value. This flexibility enhances engagement and makes recognition more meaningful.
The choice of choosing the gift card that specifically meets their requirement extends the benefit. This could include the likes of Starbucks cards, amazon cards, best buy cards or lifestyle cards that allows them discounts at hotels, salons, spas and other such networks.
When you buy bulk gift cards, you can easily club a few gift cards of the same value from different networks as a choice for employees. Once chosen, you can easily track the allotment, activation and redemption of the card with reward management software.
What to consider before purchasing bulk gift cards?
Key factors to consider before buying bulk gift cards for employees
- Budget allocation – Set a clear budget and decide on denominations per employee.
- Customization options – opt for personalized messages, company branding, or white-labeling.
- Choice & flexibility – Ensure a wide selection of brands and categories to suit diverse preferences.
- Digital vs. physical – Choose between e-gift cards for instant delivery or physical cards for a tangible experience.
- Expiry & terms – Check validity periods, restrictions, and usage policies.
- Discounts & bulk deals – Look for special pricing, waived activation fees, and corporate discounts.
- Ease of distribution – Use a gifting platform for automated and seamless distribution via email/SMS.
- Security & fraud protection – Ensure encrypted transactions, trackability, and secure redemption.
- Employee preferences – Consider survey insights or past trends to select popular gift card options.
- Customer support – Choose a vendor that offers quick assistance for replacements and queries.
5 Bulk gift card ideas for employees to help you get started
Showing appreciation to your employees with bulk gift cards is a simple yet thoughtful way to boost morale and motivation. Here are five great gift card ideas to get you started
1.Interactive learning rewards
Encourage employees to enhance their skills while making learning fun! With gamified learning gift cards, employees can access courses step-by-step—completing one module unlocks the next. This engaging approach fosters continuous learning, aligns with company growth, and keeps training exciting.
2.Eco-conscious gift cards
Promote sustainability and responsible gifting with eco-friendly gift cards. From reusable drinkware and bamboo cutlery to sustainable lifestyle essentials, these gifts reflect your company’s commitment to environmental stewardship while offering practical, waste-free choices for employees.
3.Digital subscription perks
Support employees’ personal interests and well-being with gift cards for online subscriptions. Whether it’s fitness apps, wellness programs, language courses, or entertainment platforms, these gifts enhance work-life balance and provide meaningful engagement beyond the office.
4.Memorable experience vouchers
Celebrate employees with experience-based gift cards that create lasting memories. Whether it's a spa retreat, adventure sports, cultural events, or wellness getaways, these gifts go beyond material items, fostering relaxation and rejuvenation.
5.Tech & productivity essentials
Upgrade employees’ work and daily lives with tech gift cards for must-have gadgets. Options like noise-canceling headphones, ergonomic accessories, smartwatches, or blue-light filtering glasses enhance comfort, productivity, and digital well-being.
How to choose a bulk gifting partner?
Selecting a bulk gifting partner requires careful consideration to ensure a seamless and impactful gifting experience. Here are key factors to evaluate:
- Flexibility – The platform should adapt to dynamic requirements, allowing for budget allocation, real-time activation/deactivation of cards, and scaling across teams effortlessly.
- Usability – A simple and intuitive interface ensures employees can redeem gifts without complications, reducing administrative effort.
- Customer Support – Reliable onboarding and responsive customer support are essential for troubleshooting and a smooth gifting process.
- Vendor Tie-Ups – A vast and diverse vendor network ensures accessibility for employees across different locations, offering relevant and meaningful gift choices.
- Reporting & Analytics – The platform should provide insights into spending, redemption trends, and user preferences, helping businesses optimize their gifting strategy.
With Plum, businesses can streamline their bulk gifting with an extensive global reward catalog, instant digital delivery, and real-time analytics, ensuring every reward is meaningful and impactful.
Elevate your gifting strategy with Plum’s smart, scalable, and efficient bulk gifting solutions.
