We saw PayPal launch the digital wallet but now Giftango has launched an egift card platform to the Australian market.

The digital gift platform is an e-commerce solution for retailers to digitalise their gift card programs.

The US-based company has already signed up 19 national brands and 10 loyalty and reward programs including iTunes, JB HIFI, Village Cinemas, Village Roadshow Theme Parks, Rebel Sport and Flight Centre.

Michael Fletcher, Giftango‘s chief marketing officer says the digitalisation of gift card programs in Australia will without doubt have a very positive effect for retailers, loyalty programs and end users.

“With over 70 per cent of users preferring digital over plastic gift cards, the opportunity for retailers to grow their gift card sales and improve the customer experience through digital delivery is very significant,” he said.

“Our core focus is to simplify the management and delivery of digital gift cards. And in doing so we open up new channels, reduce costs and drive revenue for our retail partners.”

The Giftango platform has been built with loyalty and reward programs in mind, with a focus on how to help companies more easily manage their programs.

“We have built a flexible solution that plugs into an existing platform, with one central administration area where clients can manage all digital gift cards from one location. All reporting, tracking and messaging for programs are specific to the programs themselves and built around the specific business needs of the loyalty or reward partner,” Fletcher said.

“By developing a model which loyalty and reward partners can easily use we also open the door for our retailer partners to tap into these channels.”

Giftango egift cards can be personalised with messages, videos, selection of card, design and value and can be sent via email, mobile or Facebook. Recipients will also have the ability to re-gift cards directly to family and friends, which will be particularly relevant for consumers who are redeeming points for egift cards within loyalty and reward programs.