Aberdeen Inspired is encouraging employers in the area to consider rewarding staff with the Aberdeen Gift Card for Christmas this year, keeping money local and supporting local economic recovery.
A survey published in HR Review found that less than a fifth of UK companies are still planning an office Christmas party for 2020. Ongoing restrictions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic mean that many employers are looking for new ways to reward their staff.
The Aberdeen Gift Card can be redeemed with more than 140 businesses in Aberdeen city, including independent and national traders including Marks & Spencer, John Lewis, Primark, Finnies, Jamieson & Carry, The Esslemont, Saks Hair and Beauty and many more.
It is available for employers to buy from £5-£500 and recipients can use the card like local currency, in one transaction or many, and on retail, hospitality, services and leisure.
Each Aberdeen Gift Card is a prepaid Mastercard which is valid for 12 months from purchase, offering employers a secure way to gift. Cards can be purchased online and delivered straight to the recipient.
Employers are able to make bulk orders of the gift card directly with Aberdeen Inspired.
Businesses in the area who reward staff with the Aberdeen Gift Card can take advantage of the UK trivial benefits scheme. A business can give an employee a benefit of up to £50 without paying tax, but only if the benefit isn’t in cash.
Adrian Watson of Aberdeen Inspired said: “The Aberdeen Gift Card is a socially conscious choice for employers wanting to support Aberdeen while also giving their staff a reward they will appreciate and can enjoy spending in our shops, restaurants, bars and other outlets.
“It is also in turn a great gift for local businesses themselves at a time when it is most needed, with the positive knock on effect of buying or giving of gift cards from people in Aberdeen, the wider north-east and further afield.
“Despite the ongoing difficulties, we have a fantastic range of retail and hospitality on offer in the city centre, and the Aberdeen Gift Card is a great way to get behind it, show support and back Aberdeen.”
The Aberdeen Gift Card is part of the Town and City Gift Cards programme from Scottish fintech Miconex. In November 2020, more than 50 towns, cities and regions in the UK have Town and City Gift Card programmes with new schemes springing up around the UK and Ireland in response to the shop local movement. Town and City Gift Cards received the award for the best use of prepaid at the Incentive Awards in 2020.
The Gift Card and Voucher Association valued the UK gift card market at £7bn in 2019, also reporting that 98.6% of gift cards are spent within a year of being received and 65% will be spent on top of the value of the card received. The Incentive Research Foundation research placed gift card programmes at the top of incentive wish lists for employees.
For more information and to buy the Aberdeen Gift Card, visit www.aberdeeninspired.com
Bulk orders can be made by emailing info@aberdeeninspired.com