Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Walmart.com are rolling out a multi-channel marketing program this holiday season that lets customers personalize gift cards.
A Wal-Mart gift card can be personalized with a customer’s photo, favorite phrase or business card, the retailer says. The new personalized gift card is available nationwide in all one hour digital photo centers at Wal-Mart stores, Neighborhood Markets, Sam’s Club locations and online at Walmart.com.
“Gift cards are an ideal gift-giving idea but many people hesitate as they`re concerned that a gift card may appear too impersonal," says Ronnie Hoyt, Wal-Mart senior vice president/divisional merchandise manager. "By offering our customers the chance to personalize their gift cards, this can provide a convenient, unique solution for many hard-to-get people on holiday lists."
Wal-Mart customers can go online to create personalized gift cards. “They can simply upload photos and place orders at Walmart.com, and then pick up gift cards one hour later at a local Wal-Mart one hour photo center location,” Hoyt says.
The program was introduced in November in time for the Christmas shopping season, but Wal-Mart, No. 12 in the Internet Retailer Top 400 Guide to Retail Web Sites, also sees personalized gift cards that can be used both online and in stores as a good multi-channel marketing tool for other holidays and special occasions.
"We`re starting a trend," says Hoyt. "By using all the available technology within our company, we are once again evolving with our customers` needs by providing a quick and affordable way to spice up the traditional gift card."
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