Paper Gift Voucher Withdrawal
IMPORTANT
NATIONAL GARDEN GIFT VOUCHERS SCHEME UPDATE
To ensure that the gifting scheme remains relevant for consumers, and operationally fit for the future, following agreement with HTA Council and Board, the decision has been made that paper gift vouchers will cease to be supplied to retailers from 31st December 2023.
The timeline for the change is as follows:
- HTA Announcement of intention to withdraw paper vouchers from supply 1st July 2023
- Final order date 31st December 2023
- Final customer redemption date 31st December 2026 (3 years expiry)
Rationale for the decision
Since 2020, the customer demand for paper gift vouchers has fallen by 70% as the popularity of gift cards has increased within our scheme. At the same time the majority of retailer members no longer wish to participate in the paper voucher scheme in the longer term for the following reasons;
- Negative impact on cash flow when selling and redeeming paper vouchers versus gift cards
- Increased operational administration costs for collection, count and secure storage and postal return of paper vouchers versus gift cards
- Increased risk of fraudulent vouchers in circulation (as was experienced in 2021 and 2022)
- Concerns relating to manual in-store acceptance processes, in-store theft and security concerns
The HTA has supported 90% of members who have already successfully switched to cards by providing technology, cards and point of sale. This support will continue throughout 2023 as we aim to migrate the small number of remaining members from paper vouchers to cards.
The National Garden Gift Voucher scheme continues to deliver over 2m consumer transactions and over £53m in gross margin contribution to participating retailers each year.
What next?
We will separately contact those members who are yet to migrate to gift card sales during July and our aim is for all retailers who wish to remain in the scheme to be enabled to do so by 31st December.
It is our belief that all members can be enabled to participate in the HTA ePay gift card programme and it is our intention that no member will be excluded.
HTA Support & Key Clarifications
Members can choose to continue selling 2023 ordered paper vouchers during 2024 (i.e. after the final supply date of 31st December 2023) but no additional voucher orders will be replenished by the HTA after 31st December 2023.
NB. It should be noted that consumers buying 2023 vouchers during 2024 (or beyond) will be disadvantaged as the voucher they buy will not have a full 36 month expiration period.
Vouchers produced and fulfilled by the HTA in 2023 will expire December 31st 2026
The paper voucher redemption claim process will continue as is, and redeemed paper vouchers need to be returned within 31 days of their December 31st expiry date.
Very old paper vouchers without expiry dates, although very small in terms of circulation, will continue to be accepted tender ongoing.
The HTA will be in contact with you to enable you to join the gift card scheme, but you can also contact us by email at [email protected].
Once notified of your intention to join the gift card scheme we will arrange for you to be supplied with ‘sell & redeem’ gift card terminals, cards and point of sale.
The HTA will fund the supply of allrequired gift cards and POS to support your migration to gift cards
Any further support needed?
Should you have further questions, please contact your Member Support Manager or HTA Services
Member Support Managers
