Why Gift Cards Are the Perfect Holiday Offer for 2024

With Black Friday 2024 fast approaching, fitness studios are gearing up to offer attractive holiday promotions. While discounts on classes and apparel are always popular, gift cards are emerging as a standout offer this year. The gift card market is projected to surpass $221 billion by the end of 2024, driven largely by Millennials and Gen Z, who use them for both gifting and personal purchases. Introducing gift cards as part of a studio’s Black Friday and holiday promotions can be an excellent way to drive sales and engagement.

Here’s why gift cards are the ideal holiday offer for fitness studios—and how platforms like Mariana Tek and Xplor Growth can make the process seamless and profitable.

1. Convenient and Mobile-Friendly

In today’s fast-paced world, convenience is a top priority for consumers. With the increasing reliance on digital transactions, gift cards offer a hassle-free solution for busy clients. Available for purchase and redemption through mobile devices, gift cards are easily accessible at any time.

Platforms like Mariana Tek allow clients to purchase, store, and use gift cards digitally within a studio’s branded app. This enables clients to buy gift cards, send them as gifts, and redeem them for classes or merchandise with just a few clicks. Whether stored in a digital wallet or within the Mariana Tek platform itself, gift cards are always just a tap away, making them an appealing option for the modern consumer.

2. Perfect for the Online Shopper

Online shopping continues to grow, with many consumers preferring the convenience of purchasing from their phone or computer. Studios using Mariana Tek can streamline the entire gift card purchasing process, allowing clients to shop and redeem online without needing to visit the studio. This is especially important during the busy holiday season when clients may prefer to avoid crowded retail spaces.

Mariana Tek’s integration ensures that the purchase and use of gift cards is effortless. Clients can buy gift cards online, redeem them for in-person or virtual fitness classes, or use them to purchase studio merchandise. This flexibility ensures that the studio captures sales from both in-person clients and those who prefer to engage virtually.

3. Eliminates the Hassle of Returns

Gift cards eliminate one of the most frustrating aspects of holiday shopping: unwanted gifts. Rather than guessing someone’s preferences or risking a poor fit with apparel, gift cards give recipients the freedom to choose exactly what they want. Whether they’re booking classes or selecting merchandise, clients and their loved ones can use their gift cards at their convenience, ensuring a stress-free shopping experience.

With Mariana Tek, redeeming gift cards is a breeze. The system’s intuitive interface allows clients to seamlessly apply their gift card balance when signing up for classes or purchasing items, minimizing the chance of confusion or delay.

4. Increases Average Spend per Client

One of the key advantages of offering gift cards is the potential for higher revenue. Studies show that nearly 60% of consumers spend more than the value of their gift card, with many exceeding the card’s amount by $30 or more. This means that a $50 gift card can lead to a total sale of $80 or more, increasing a studio’s revenue with every transaction.

Xplor Growth, a marketing and CRM platform, can help studios capitalize on this trend by encouraging clients to redeem their gift cards and spend beyond the initial amount. Automated marketing campaigns can highlight special offers, bundle deals, or upgrades that incentivize clients to spend more during their visit.

5. Encourages Early Class Bookings

Gift cards often get redeemed soon after purchase, especially during holiday sales. With “National Use Your Gift Card Day” on January 20, 2024, clients will have an extra reminder to book their classes or use their cards for studio purchases. This creates an opportunity for studios to fill their class schedules during the typically slower winter months.

Using Mariana Tek, clients can easily view available class times, reserve their spots, and apply their gift card balance directly through the studio’s app or website. This seamless experience helps studios maintain high class attendance while giving clients the flexibility to plan their fitness routines around their schedules.

6. Maximizes Engagement with Automated Marketing

One of the most effective ways to drive sales and engagement during the holiday season is through targeted marketing. Xplor Growth offers a comprehensive suite of tools to help studios promote their gift card offers, Black Friday deals, and holiday promotions. With its automated email and SMS campaigns, Xplor Growth allows studios to communicate directly with clients, ensuring they are aware of special offers and promotions throughout the holiday season.

Xplor Growth’s data-driven insights also enable studios to track client behavior, including gift card purchases and redemptions. This information can be used to create personalized marketing campaigns that encourage repeat visits, additional purchases, or class bookings. For example, studios can send a reminder about gift card expiration dates or offer a limited-time discount to clients who redeem their cards during the holiday period.

7. Boosts Revenue and Client Retention

By integrating gift cards into a studio’s holiday marketing strategy, fitness businesses can drive significant revenue while also increasing client retention. Mariana Tek and Xplor Growth work together to create a smooth client experience, from purchasing gift cards to using them in-studio or online. Gift cards not only attract new clients but also provide existing clients with a flexible way to engage with the studio during the busy holiday season and beyond.

With the ability to track client behavior and run targeted marketing campaigns, studios can use Xplor Growth to maintain ongoing communication with clients long after the holiday sales end. Whether it’s through reminders to redeem their gift cards or promoting special offers for upcoming events, this personalized approach keeps clients engaged and returning for more.

---

In conclusion, gift cards are a powerful tool for fitness studios looking to increase revenue and engagement during the holiday season. By leveraging Mariana Tek for seamless gift card management and Xplor Growth for automated marketing, studios can create a hassle-free shopping experience for clients while maximizing sales and class bookings. As Black Friday 2024 approaches, consider adding gift cards to your studio’s holiday promotions to capture more sales, boost engagement, and set your business up for a successful new year.

Ready to learn more about how Mariana Tek can help grow your business? Book a custom demo today.