Payment Planning Tips to Kick-Start Your Holiday Season

3. Boost gift card sales. According to First Data's 2011 U.S. Gift Card Consumer Insight Study, consumers continue to spend more on gift cards, with the average amount spent per closed-loop card increasing by more than 23 percent in 2011 compared to 2010. At a time when 71 percent of gift card recipients spend more than the amount loaded on their card (according to the First Data study), the benefits of gift cards are clear for retailers heading into the holiday season. In addition to helping build a customer base, gift cards create foot traffic, both by the purchaser and receiver, generate brand awareness, and increase same-store sales. Now is the time to take full advantage of this opportunity.