GIFTBAR™, founded by Kara Kaplan and Jennifer Morris, has launched! GiftBar is a unique, online gift card marketplace for local merchants only. Launching just in time for the holidays, GiftBar is the only site to curate moderate to high-end merchants in one place with the sole purpose of promoting local business through the purchase of gift cards.
We wanted a one-stop shop for consumers to purchase and give gift cards from local merchants via email, mail and even text message - allowing merchants to offer the latest technology in gift cards and bringing true convenience to the consumer.
We researched a variety of local, small businesses that provide gift certificates, and discovered that nearly 75% of those still issued handwritten, non-traceable, paper certificates. In addition, as busy mom's always looking for fabulous, yet easy gift options, giving a gift card from a local merchant simply wasn’t the most convenient option for us. We’re offering a highly curated, easy to use site for consumers to interact with these merchants and offer an alternative to big box gift cards, while also providing a unique marketing solution that will drive consumers O2O.
Along with this new way of purchasing/giving gift cards, GiftBar will also be a great resource for our merchants to push promotional gift cards, announce new products, post ‘flash’ sales, promote special events and link to their social media pages - all via their own GiftBar Merchant page.
We felt it was necessary to not only focus on the consumer’s online experience, but to also service the merchants by allowing them to have a cost-effective, turnkey solution that will drive customers through their doors, and not just to their website, which a lot of our merchants don't even have. We strongly believe in the importance of supporting local businesses and we know that GiftBar will help promote these merchants, especially in this economic climate, to the next level.
In addition, GiftBar set out to make a unique experience for the consumer as well. The new website allows guests to search from a variety of categories (high-end boutiques for women/men/kids, specialty retailers, spas, salons, restaurants) and purchase a gift card which can be delivered immediately or for a future date via email, text or snail mail. Gift cards can be purchased for specific retailers, or a GiftBar of Choice can be applied to any of the merchant(s) participating on the site.
Along with our technology partner, GeneXus USA, we've launched with over 70 incredible, local merchants here in Chicago and are adding more daily. We are so excited to be a part of the Chicago tech scene, and are huge fans of Built in Chicago! Reading the blog posts on here have been a daily source of inspiration!
Please check out www.GIFTBAR.com for all of your gifting needs this holiday season!!
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