Major Push On for the ‘Cooler’ Gift Card

In a recent survey, roughly 15 percent of U.S. retailers said they offer digital gift cards that are truly mobile — i.e., they can be used immediately for a purchase via smartphone. A major growth spurt for mobile gift cards seems to be in the works. In the same survey, 61 percent of retailers said they plan on offering such cards in the next three years. In the near future, it may be time to revisit the term "gift card." Why? Because increasingly, there won't be an actual physical card involved.