M&S implements gift card management system

Cost savings are expected as retailer runs gift card management in-house

M&S hopes to reap savings with gift card management system

Marks & Spencer (M&S) has rolled out software to manage its gift card programme and hopes to gain greater control of lifecycles as well as cost efficiencies.

By using the new software, M&S can manage the lifecycle of its gift cards programme – which includes traditional paper and electronic vouchers for individuals and corporates – by controlling issuing, authorisation and account management processes.

As volumes of gift card sales increase, it is understood that the retailer is intending to generate cost savings by running the infrastructure behind its gift card programme internally.

Under the system, in use since November, cards can be identified either by a magnetic stripe or a barcode and value is loaded at the time of purchase. The vouchers can also issued in multiple currencies, which can be loaded at the point-of-sale.

Supplier Postilion is providing the software.