What a concept: Quixtar gift program lets recipients pick what they want

Online health and beauty retailer Quixtar Inc.’s Ribbon brand is a new online gift program that enables gift recipients to pick gifts from hundreds of products. Quixtar sells products through independent business owners who in turn market products to friends, family and small business.

Quixtar, No. 20 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide, recently overhauled its gift and incentive program, yielding the Ribbon brand. The company is looking to capitalize on a gift-giving marketplace that tops $250 billion annually, says Ray Alexander, director of marketing. “Ribbon is truly the gift of choice. It gives everyone the gift they really want–by letting them choose it themselves,” he says.

There are 21 gift collections available each with up to 40 gift options. Products include jewelry, gourmet foods and cooking gear from major brand names, and vacation packages.

Once notified of their gifts by mail or hand delivery, recipients log onto a web site with a redemption code that grants them access to specific gift collections, or albums. From there they can choose anything within the maximum dollar amount given. Albums contain name brand products ranging in value from $25 to $750. Collections are organized by themes targeting multiple age and interest groups, and gift selections are delivered without charge.

The technology supporting the gift plan was developed in-house, Alexander adds.