Industry Insights
B2C Gift Card Schemes: Open-Value, Reloadable and Built to Fit
What B2C gift card schemes exist? Open-value, reloadable, single-use, gift-with-purchase, promotional, mall, merchandise-credit, cashback, loyalty, bonus-value and cross-border cards, all running on one closed-loop real-time transaction processing platform.
Most retailers do not need a new gift card system for every new idea — they need one processing platform that can be configured into different schemes. Ogloba's Realtime System handles transaction processing across the major closed-loop models, which makes the choice of scheme a commercial decision rather than an IT project.
One Engine, Many Card Behaviours
The same platform supports open-value and reloadable cards that retain their remaining balance, single-use cards programmed not to, gift-with-purchase cards that seed the following visit, promotional product cards tied to a spend threshold or a time window, and bonus value cards worth more at redemption than at purchase. Merchandise-credit cards return refunds to a card usable in store or online. Auto-replenishment, couponing and loyalty — open redemption or point accumulation — sit alongside them.
Where It Becomes Structural
Mall and town cards let value travel across cooperating locations. Profit-centre solutions allow one card across independent locations or multiple brands, with automated end-of-day settlement between them. Cash back at the till operates under agreement with a bank or card company, and cross-border cards let customers move value to family without the fees such transfers usually carry.
The strategic point is optionality. When a scheme is configuration rather than procurement, a retailer can test it, combine it, or retire it at the speed the market actually moves.
FAQ
What is a bonus value card?
A card worth more at redemption than it cost at purchase. It sits on the same engine as open-value, reloadable, single-use, gift-with-purchase and promotional product cards.
How can one card work across independent locations or several brands?
Through profit-centre solutions, with automated end-of-day settlement between the participating locations. Mall and town cards work the same way, letting value travel across cooperating sites.
Can a customer take cash back at the till?
Yes, under agreement with a bank or card company. Cross-border cards work alongside it, letting customers move value to family without the fees such transfers usually carry.
Why does it matter that a scheme is configuration rather than procurement?
Because the retailer can test it, combine it, or retire it at the speed the market actually moves, instead of running an IT project for every new idea.
