Gift Cards Market Size, Growth | Industry Report [2034]

Gift Cards Market Overview

Global Gift Cards market size is projected at USD 455760 million in 2025 and is anticipated to reach USD 675350 million by 2034, registering a CAGR of 6.8%.

The Gift Cards Market Market is expanding rapidly as more than 1.9 billion consumers globally purchase digital or physical gift cards each year, while over 74 percent of retail and e-commerce brands now integrate multi-category gifting solutions. More than 62 percent of companies across hospitality, restaurant, entertainment, and fashion segments use gift cards as customer-retention tools. Digital cards account for 53 percent of global distribution, increasing as mobile-wallet usage rises among more than 4.2 billion smartphone users. Closed-loop retail cards represent 41 percent of total transactions, while open-loop cards contribute 37 percent. Corporate gifting programs grew 44 percent between 2021 and 2024, influencing Gift Cards Market Market Size worldwide.

The USA accounts for nearly 38 percent of the global Gift Cards Market Market Share with more than 312 million consumers purchasing gift cards annually. Retail gift cards represent 46 percent of US demand, while restaurant cards contribute 22 percent. Digital gift cards grew 57 percent between 2020 and 2024 driven by more than 255 million active mobile payment users. More than 82 percent of US retailers offer both physical and digital gift card programs. Holiday seasons generate 51 percent of annual US gift card sales, while corporate gifting programs influence 33 percent of total issuance. These dynamics strengthen overall Gift Cards Market Market Outlook across the USA.

Key Findings

Key Market Driver: A 63 percent rise in digital gift card adoption due to increased e-commerce penetration and mobile wallet usage.
• Major Market Restraint: A 48 percent increase in fraud-related activities and unauthorized transactions on digital platforms.
• Emerging Trends: A 57 percent surge in e-gift card personalization, dynamic card designs, and instant delivery formats.
• Regional Leadership: North America accounts for 38 percent of global gift card consumption, while Asia-Pacific contributes 29 percent.
• Competitive Landscape: Top 10 gift card providers collectively control 52 percent of the global market.
• Market Segmentation: Retail and e-commerce gift cards represent 44 percent of overall usage, while restaurant cards hold 28 percent.
• Recent Development: A 49 percent increase in API-based gift card integrations among retailers between 2023–2025.

Gift Cards Market Latest Trends

Global trends in the Gift Cards Market Market highlight strong migration toward digital formats, with more than 1 billion e-gift cards issued annually across major markets. Instant delivery formats account for 58 percent of digital transactions, while mobile wallets store over 620 million active gift card balances worldwide. Subscription-based gift card models increased 33 percent between 2022 and 2024 as consumers opted for recurring entertainment, retail, and food service packages. Personalization features such as photo uploads, custom messages, and branded animations grew 57 percent. Restaurant gift cards experienced a 29 percent sales increase globally due to expanding home-delivery markets. Retail open-loop cards grew 41 percent as cardholders preferred multi-store flexibility. Environmental trends contributed to a 37 percent decline in single-use plastic gift card production replaced by digital versions. Influencer-driven campaigns raised gift card promotional engagement by 39 percent. These patterns support Gift Cards Market Market Trends and reveal expanding B2B demand, particularly as enterprises increased bulk digital card issuance by 46 percent for employee rewards and customer loyalty programs.

Gift Cards Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rapid expansion of digital apyments and e-commerce penetration

More than 4.2 billion people globally use digital payment systems, and 57 percent of them purchase gift cards annually. E-commerce growth contributed to a 63 percent rise in digital card transactions between 2021 and 2024. Mobile wallet penetration exceeded 68 percent across urban demographics, and 340 million consumers now store digital gift cards on smartphones. Enterprises increased digital incentives by 46 percent as part of customer loyalty programs. Retailers reported a 51 percent rise in API-driven gift card integrations. These combined factors significantly influence Gift Cards Market Market Growth worldwide.

RESTRAINT

Increasing fraud, security breaches, and unused balances

Fraud incidents associated with digital gift cards increased 48 percent between 2020 and 2024. More than 19 percent of consumers reported unauthorized balance deductions, while retailers observed a 26 percent rise in account-takeover attempts linked to card redemption portals. Unused card balances totaled nearly 14 percent of total issued value globally, creating customer dissatisfaction. Plastic card misuse increased 22 percent due to skimming and duplication attacks. These issues limit Gift Cards Market Market Forecast and hinder adoption, particularly in unsecured retail environments.

OPPORTUNITY

Growth in personalization, B2B gifting, and omnichannel adoption

Corporate gifting expanded 44 percent worldwide between 2021 and 2024, with enterprises issuing more than 410 million digital cards annually. Personalization technologies grew 57 percent across consumer segments. More than 62 percent of retail chains adopted omnichannel gift card solutions integrating online and in-store redemption. E-commerce platforms reported a 49 percent increase in co-branded and themed digital cards. Green gifting trends grew 34 percent as digital-only cards replaced plastic cards. These emerging patterns amplify Gift Cards Market Market Opportunities for retailers and digital technology providers.

CHALLENGE

Regulatory inconsistencies and high competition

More than 52 countries revised gift card expiry and fee regulations between 2022 and 2024, creating compliance complexities. Competitive pressure intensified with over 180 new digital gifting platforms launching globally during the same period. Retailers experienced a 29 percent increase in cost of digital infrastructure to support multi-currency, cross-border, and instant delivery systems. Meanwhile, 22 percent of small businesses reported challenges adopting gift card systems due to integration issues. This competition impacts market positioning and restricts smaller brands from establishing strong Gift Cards Market Market Insights.

Gift Cards Market Segmentation

Segmentation in the Gift Cards Market Market is defined by type and application. By type, open-loop products represent 38 percent of global volume, retail closed-loop cards account for 31 percent, restaurant cards contribute 22 percent, and miscellaneous categories hold the remaining share. By application, retail accounts for 44 percent of global usage, restaurants contribute 28 percent, coffee shops represent 13 percent, and entertainment sectors account for 15 percent. More than 1.9 billion global consumers interact with these segments annually, supporting Gift Cards Market Market Size expansion.

BY TYPE

Universal Accepted Open Loop: Open-loop gift cards account for 38 percent of global gift card transactions and are used by more than 620 million consumers annually. Around 48 percent of corporate gifting programs rely on open-loop cards for incentives and rewards. Cross-border redemption increased 31 percent between 2021 and 2024 as multi-merchant acceptance expanded. Digital issuance for open-loop cards grew 29 percent due to rising mobile wallet adoption. More than 43 percent of consumers prefer open-loop cards because they function as prepaid debit-style payment methods across retail, fuel, dining, travel, and entertainment sectors.

E-Gifting: E-gifting cards represent 34 percent of global gift card purchases, with over 480 million digital cards sold annually. Mobile-based e-gift card usage increased 41 percent between 2020 and 2024 as consumers shifted to instant delivery formats. Approximately 52 percent of enterprises use e-gift cards for customer acquisition and loyalty campaigns. AI-driven personalization tools improved redemption rates by 28 percent. More than 65 percent of young consumers aged 18–35 prefer digital e-gifting solutions due to convenience, speed, and broad digital ecosystem integration.

Restaurant Closed Loop: Restaurant closed-loop gift cards hold 19 percent of the global gift card market and are purchased by more than 220 million consumers yearly. Around 46 percent of these cards are redeemed during holiday and promotional campaigns. Quick-service restaurants account for 57 percent of restaurant card distributions. Digital restaurant card activation increased 33 percent between 2021 and 2024. Repeat card redemptions reached 58 percent as loyalty programs expanded. Multi-brand food chains contributed 27 percent of total closed-loop restaurant card circulation.

Retail Closed Loop: Retail closed-loop gift cards represent 28 percent of worldwide gift card demand, with over 350 million retail cards purchased annually across fashion, electronics, grocery, and department stores. Seasonal promotions drive 49 percent of annual retail gift card purchases. Omnichannel redemption increased 32 percent as retailers integrated mobile wallets and QR-based point-of-sale systems. Retail loyalty programs account for 54 percent of recurring closed-loop sales. High consumer preference for brand-specific gifting continues to strengthen retail closed-loop penetration.

Miscellaneous Closed Loop: Miscellaneous closed-loop gift cards contribute 11 percent of global card transactions and include categories such as entertainment, travel, gaming, beauty, fitness, and specialty services. More than 128 million consumers purchase these cards annually for niche activities. Gaming and entertainment cards account for 37 percent of this segment. Travel gift cards increased 26 percent between 2022 and 2024 as tourism revived. Approximately 42 percent of buyers prefer category-specific cards for personalized experiences. Miscellaneous closed-loop cards support diversification in the gift card ecosystem.

BY APPLICATION

Restaurant: Restaurant gift cards account for 27 percent of global gift card usage, with more than 310 million consumers redeeming food-related gift cards annually. Quick-service restaurants contribute 58 percent of total restaurant card activations, while fine-dining cards represent 18 percent. Holiday seasons generate 46 percent of annual restaurant gift card sales. Digital restaurant card usage increased 33 percent between 2021 and 2024 due to rising mobile ordering. Around 42 percent of corporate gifting programs include restaurant cards for employee incentives, strengthening restaurant participation in the Gift Cards Market Market Size.

Retail: Retail gift cards represent 41 percent of the total global gift card demand, with over 520 million cards purchased annually across clothing, electronics, grocery, and home store brands. Seasonal campaigns account for 49 percent of retail card purchases. Mobile wallet integration boosted digital retail card usage by 37 percent. Retailers report that 56 percent of gift card buyers spend more than the card’s value at redemption. Loyalty program participation increased 31 percent, strengthening retail influence within the Gift Cards Market Market Trends worldwide.

Coffee Shop: Coffee shop gift cards hold 9 percent of global gift card distribution, with more than 115 million cards issued annually. Around 63 percent of coffee card redemptions occur at urban locations. Digital coffee cards increased 42 percent due to app-based ordering systems. Consumers aged 18–35 account for 57 percent of total coffee card purchases. Subscription-based beverage rewards increased 28 percent between 2022 and 2024. Coffee chains use gift cards in 51 percent of loyalty engagement strategies, enhancing visibility in the Gift Cards Market Market Analysis.

Entertainment: Entertainment gift cards represent 23 percent of global gift card purchases, with more than 280 million cards redeemed annually across gaming, streaming, cinema, and event categories. Gaming cards account for 46 percent of entertainment transactions. Online entertainment card sales increased 38 percent as digital media consumption grew. Around 55 percent of young consumers prefer entertainment-specific gift cards over general retail options. Event and cinema card usage increased 26 percent between 2021 and 2024. These factors strengthen entertainment-driven expansion in the Gift Cards Market Market Outlook.

Gift Cards Market Regional Outlook

Global regional differences reflect economic, cultural, and digital infrastructure variations. North America holds 38 percent of global gift card volume due to high e-commerce penetration. Europe contributes 28 percent driven by corporate gifting growth. Asia-Pacific accounts for 29 percent supported by rising digital payment adoption. Middle East & Africa contribute 5 percent but show rapid year-over-year expansion.

NORTH AMERICA

North America accounts for 38 percent of global gift card consumption, with more than 720 million cards issued annually. The USA contributes 87 percent of regional activity, while Canada represents 11 percent. Digital gift cards account for 61 percent of the region’s transactions. Retail gift cards represent 42 percent of North American usage, while restaurant cards contribute 24 percent. Corporate gifting programs expanded 44 percent across enterprises. More than 48 percent of US consumers store gift cards in mobile wallets. Holiday seasons generate 53 percent of regional card sales. Loyalty-linked cards grew 39 percent due to integrated reward systems. These factors reinforce strong Gift Cards Market Market Share in North America.

EUROPE

Europe contributes 28 percent of global demand with more than 510 million gift cards used annually. The UK, Germany, France, and Italy account for 71 percent of regional usage. Digital cards represent 49 percent of transactions across Europe. Corporate gifting programs increased 41 percent between 2022 and 2024. Retail closed-loop cards hold 37 percent of the European market. E-commerce adoption expanded digital card sales by 33 percent. Holiday promotions influence 46 percent of annual card purchases. Sustainability trends increased digital gifting by 38 percent. Europe remains a major contributor to global Gift Cards Market Market Insights.

ASIA-PACIFIC

Asia-Pacific accounts for 29 percent of global gift card activity with more than 560 million cards redeemed annually. China, India, Japan, and South Korea contribute 78 percent of regional demand. Digital payment adoption increased 63 percent across APAC. Retail gift cards represent 36 percent of regional usage, while restaurant cards contribute 21 percent. Corporations expanded employee reward programs by 47 percent. Mobile wallet-stored gift cards increased 54 percent. E-commerce platforms account for 57 percent of digital card purchases. APAC shows strong potential for Gift Cards Market Market Growth.

MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA

Middle East & Africa account for 5 percent of global activity with more than 98 million gift cards issued each year. UAE and Saudi Arabia represent 62 percent of MEA demand. Digital cards increased 41 percent driven by rising smartphone usage. Retail cards contribute 39 percent of regional sales, while entertainment cards represent 22 percent. Companies expanded corporate gifting by 33 percent. Tourism-linked gift cards grew 29 percent, especially in hospitality and retail sectors. MEA markets continue to strengthen overall Gift Cards Market Market Opportunities.

List of Top Gift Cards Companies

Amazon
• iTunes
• Walmart
• Google Play
• Starbucks
• Home Depot
• Walgreens
• Sephora
• Lowe’s
• Carrefour
• JD
• Best Buy
• Sainsbury’s
• Macy’s
• Virgin
• IKEA
• H&M
• Zara
• AL-FUTTAIM ACE
• JCB Gift Card

Top Two Companies (Highest Market Share)

Amazon holds approximately 14 percent global market penetration with more than 350 million active gift card users.
• Walmart holds around 11 percent global market share with more than 220 million annual card redemptions.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Investments in the Gift Cards Market Market increased 42 percent between 2021 and 2024 as digital platforms expanded infrastructure for faster delivery and secure processing. More than 58 percent of investors prioritized digital-only gift card solutions due to growing smartphone usage. Retailers increased investment in loyalty-linked gift card systems by 39 percent. AI-driven fraud detection tools saw a 33 percent rise in adoption. Blockchain-based card authentication systems increased 28 percent. More than 140 global enterprises invested in API-based gift card issuance. Co-branded gift card partnerships rose 31 percent, targeting retail and entertainment sectors. These investment patterns strengthen Gift Cards Market Market Forecast worldwide.

New Product Development

New product development in the Gift Cards Market Market focuses on personalization, eco-friendly materials, and instant digital delivery. More than 600 new gift card designs launch annually across retail, food, and entertainment sectors. Dynamic QR-code gift cards increased 44 percent for secure redemption. Personalized animated e-gifts grew 57 percent. Biodegradable gift card materials increased 33 percent. Multi-currency digital gift cards grew 28 percent. Hybrid physical-digital cards expanded 31 percent as retailers introduced omnichannel systems. Gaming and streaming platforms launched more than 120 new digital card options between 2023 and 2025. These advancements strengthen Gift Cards Market Market Insights.

Five Recent Developments

Global e-gift card transactions increased 57 percent across retail and entertainment sectors.
• API-based digital gift card integrations increased 49 percent among major retailers.
• Loyalty-linked reward card programs expanded 41 percent across enterprises.
• Fraud detection adoption increased 33 percent using AI-driven monitoring tools.
• Multi-currency digital gift card solutions grew 28 percent across international markets.

Report Coverage

The Gift Cards Market Market Report covers global distribution patterns, digital transformation trends, type-wise segmentation, and application-based growth factors. The report analyzes more than 85 numerical indicators including consumer adoption rates, mobile wallet penetration, retail category demand, and corporate gifting statistics. Detailed segmentation includes universal open-loop, e-gifting, restaurant closed-loop, retail closed-loop, and miscellaneous categories. Application-based analysis covers retail, restaurant, coffee shop, and entertainment segments. Regional evaluation includes North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. The report includes competitive profiling of 20 leading companies along with industry developments, new product launches, fraud prevention technologies, and omnichannel ecosystem advancements. These elements support B2B procurement, retailer strategies, digital platform integrations, and long-term Gift Cards Market Market Insights.