Unused Gift Card Balances Surge After Holiday Season

Summary

The episode examines the $23 billion of unused gift‑card balances that accumulate after the holidays, noting that digitizing cards and offering reloads can improve redemption rates. It highlights a growing trend of using leftover balances for charitable donations, which retain tax benefits and provide a flexible currency for nonprofits. Finally, the discussion covers how retailers are integrating gift‑card and stored‑value programs with loyalty initiatives to boost self‑use and reduce dormant balances.