The “trailblazing” Aberdeen Gift Card has been named the most successful in the UK for a second year running after racking up almost £830,000 in sales in 2024 - boosting more than 300 “bricks and mortar” shops, businesses and attractions.
The milestone figure means the gift card has now generated almost £4million in sales since it was launched five years ago – all of that going back into the local economy.
As people spend an average of 65% more than the face value of their card, that spending figure is closer to £6.6million.
Miconex, which operates some 90 Town & City Gift Card and Scotland Loves Local Gift Card initiatives, said the Granite City ranked top in sales last year in the UK and Ireland at £828,640 - and described Aberdeen as a “true trailblazer and inspiration” for gift cards across the UK.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “We are delighted Aberdeen Gift Card has, for the second year running, been named the most successful of its kind in the whole of the UK after bringing in almost £830,000 in sales last year.
“That represents an Aberdeen Gift Card being bought every 30 minutes on average during 2024 with an average spend of £100 an hour – and the number of online transactions using a gift card is precisely zero. Every penny is spent in person in the city.
“The sales figures for 2024 are a major coup for our gift card scheme but more importantly represent a massive boost to more than 300 bricks and mortar businesses signed up for the Aberdeen Gift Card.
“The fact our gift card has now injected some £6.6million into the local economy speaks volumes about just how vital it is for the well-being of our city and those who do business here.”
Adrian said Aberdeen Inspired is always grateful to the hundreds of places - from shops to restaurants, salons to entertainment venues – who sign up to accept the gift card and the people who choose to use it.
“More and more people are clearly turning to Aberdeen Gift Card as the perfect present for friends and loved ones – and it is increasingly used by major businesses as a special way to reward and retain staff as part of their benefits packages,” he added.
Shona Byrne, Aberdeen Inspired’s project manager who oversees the Aberdeen Gift Card, said the organisation is always looking for ways to promote the importance of the gift card to the city’s economy, the benefits it brings to employers and the fact it is the perfect gift for those who receive it.
“Part of that constant innovation saw us install a trailblazing self-service kiosk for Aberdeen Gift Card in Union Square – the first of its kind in Scotland – which proved hugely popular in the run-up to Christmas,” she said.
“Aberdeen Gift Card is the perfect present of choice, a major lift for bricks and mortar traders, an ideal way to increase footfall in the city centre, and a growing force for the local economy – which means everyone is a winner.”
Colin Munro, managing director of Miconex, said: “Since its launch in November 2020, the Aberdeen Gift Card, led by Aberdeen Inspired, has gone from strength to strength, demonstrating the power of local gift cards to provide tangible support for business communities.
“Whether it’s enhancing accessibility of the card through local sales points, implementing effective marketing strategies to sell the card throughout the year, or encouraging organisations to make the switch to their city’s local gift card for employee rewards, Aberdeen Inspired never misses an opportunity to develop their local gift card and, in doing so, lock in spend to Aberdeen.
“The Aberdeen Gift Card is a true trailblazer in the industry, and the inspiration for local gift cards across the UK.”
You can find out more the Aberdeen Gift Card here.