admin, Author at Woohoo Gifting Blog

Woohoo! I’ve got a gift for you

As appeared in The New Indian Express on 14 September 2017.

There is some celebration every other day – festivals, birthdays, office parties and the list goes on. Last week was Onam and Pooja is right around the corner. Not surprisingly, there are a number of gift choices for loved ones too. But, despite the overwhelming availability, the old dilemma exists: What should I gift a person? In one of their research surveys, Qwikcilver had discovered that most gift purchases happen only three days before the event. Foreseeing this, Qwikcilver, powering 90 per cent of the gift cards in the country, has developed a superstore for gift cards called Woohoo. “Through this innovation, the person receiving the card has the freedom of choice,” said co-founder Pratap T P.

Customised gifting

Through Woohoo, which functions as a mobile application and a website, one can purchase gift cards to as many as 150 brands that have partnered with the company. It was launched in 2015 and provides options for planned and customised value gifting. The app securely stores the gift cards and gives regular reminders regarding the expiry.

In the latest group gifting feature, released a month ago, people can pool in the amount and gift the card to the recipient. This eliminates the hassle of coordinating and collecting individual amounts. In addition, it has a secondary market trading platform where one can buy and sell gift cards. “This is the first and only platform in the country that provides such an option,” said Pratap.

Taking on Malayalees on social media

Targeting the Malayali audience for Onam, the developers of Woohoo did a social media campaign on all the popular platforms. “The campaign was a humorous take on gifting, endorsing the celebrities in the Malayalam movie industry,” said Pratap. “We were trying to make a presence on social media,” he added

Gifting culture
Like the greeting card industry, which helped develop the birthday and anniversary culture in the country, Woohoo’s creators also expected to enhance the gifting culture among people. “It is instant gratification. But at the end of the day, we are just trying to improve human engagements through Woohoo,” said Pratap.

3 Best Occasions to Gift a Travel Gift Card

A gift is something that you give to someone you care about, right? There are no rules as to what that gift can comprise. Your gift could be a watch, some jewellery, clothing, and gadgets – anything from an array of gifting options. What about an experience? A travel experience is certainly one of the most memorable gifts and it’s easy to gift a fabulous travel experience through a travel gift card.

So, why not check out the possible occasions that can be captured into tiny special moments in the form of gifts. Below are a few of them:

Anniversary (Parents)

Our parents are more than a hug giver, advice offerer, finest cooks, best of the best friends, in short an “Angel in disguise”. It is a fact that time or reasons are not required to express our love and respect for them. But, when we have an opportunity like Anniversary when we can really give them something, they would relish the most, why not plan something absolutely delightful.

Now that we have decided on gifting something, the difficult part begins as to choose what to give as there’s nothing in the world that can match our parents love yet, something not so close is some quality time for each other. Why not a holiday? Just the two, near or far where ever, but Just the two! Quite awesome, isn’t it?

Retirement Gift

People run in their hectic work schedules and save holidays to plan their long vacation yet, somehow self-ditch their own plans as work would be their first priority. That’s right, and time flies and yet their dreams are still dreams. There are very less chances that they would plan post retirement as they would already have plans for their grandchildren.

Why not differentiate ourselves from the lot and plan some awesome holiday?

“New Entry” in your family

All tend to get really excited whenever there is a new beginning in our life. Either we get into a new relation or a new relation gets into our family. Both gives immense joy and happiness. What do you think could be a best form of expressing this feeling?

Really tough to put it across, right? Yea, true because the gift should give them ever lasting memories. Something like a holiday with the “New Entry” of the family who can be your sister, brother, sister-in-law, cousin, brother in law and so on. Whoever it is, the beauty of any relation can be expressed by giving quality time with them by planning a Holiday just for them with them.

Now that we have listed out few of the multiple possible reasons to celebrate in life, it’s time to think on how could we make it a perfect personalized gift. Travel is one thing people think twice because they don’t want to mess up with bookings and planning. So, gift a best holiday gift to your dear ones with a Cleartrip by availing 15% discount on Cleartrip e-gift card. You can get this awesome offer using the promo code CL15 in the checkout page.

Woohoo Gifting League : The First of Its Kind Gift Card Bonanza

Woohoo announced the launch of the first-of-its-kind gift card league – Woohoo Gifting League, a platform for brands to maximise revenue through gift cards this festive season. The Woohoo gifting league will have on the platform more than 100+ brands, including Shoppers Stop, Westside, Myntra, TTK Prestige, Marks & Spencers, Lifestyle and Pantaloons.

Habit formation around Gift Cards:

Much of the gifting spends in India happen either through cash or through the unorganised sector.The Woohoo Gifting League is an attempt to move some of that spend to brands, via the gift card route. From a brand point of view, the idea is to build habit formation around gift cards in a way that it remains top-of-mind with consumers for all sorts of gifting occasions even beyond the reigning festivities.

The platform will present consumers an array of gifting options; physical and the increasingly popular digital gift cards, from leading brands in the country. Retail brands, on the other hand, get the opportunity to garner a greater share of the seasonal gifting pie, through gift cards. The gift card market currently is over Rs. 3,000 crore.

Gift Cards help brands increase sales and create access to new customers:

A recent Qwikcilver study indicated that on an average Gift Cards represent 12% of brand sales. With the Woohoo Gifting League, that percentage is set go up during the festive season. Gift cards also enable brands to reach out to and engage with a wider consumer base, because brands get access to both the gift card purchaser and the recipient. This is expected to lead to significant increase in customer acquisition, ranging between 50-400 percent, depending on product and category type.

Commenting on the launch of this new initiative, Pratap TP, Co-Founder and CMO of Qwikcilver said: ”For close to ten years now, we have worked relentlessly to make gift cards synonymous with gifting and the launch of this initiative is one more innovative step in that direction. We are confident that the Woohoo Gifting League will help our brand partners maximize the festive season while at the same time making gifting a convenient and enjoyable experience for millions of Indians.”

As appeared in www.afaqs.com on Sept 1, 2017.

Surprise Your Loved Ones with the Best Ganesh Chaturthi Gifts

Lord Ganesha is revered as the lord of wisdom, knowledge and prosperity and his blessings are known to remove obstacles from one’s life. Also known as Vinayak Chaturthi, this day is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the dear son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It’s a festival that’s equally dear to the young and the old. Everyone wants to deck up in their best and give and receive gifts!

Know what you want to buy for your loved ones? Opt for gift cards this year. Gift cards are extremely practical and convenient. They take away the stress of choosing an actual gift, while giving a plethora of choices to your loved ones. Gifting must make both the giver and the recipient feel happy; that’s what gifting a gift card does. Here are some great ideas for you to pick the perfect Ganesh Chaturthi gift cards.

1. Books

Too many kids are moving away from the real world these days, preferring to find their escape in video games. A selection of wonderful, motivational books will be perfect for the young ones in your circle and you can gift their favourite book now with a Crossword gift card.

When it comes to the elders in your circle, consider gifting them inspirational or devotional music. Nothing soothes the older generation than beautiful, melodious devotional music. Gift a Saavn e-gift card.

2. Apparel

Know anyone who doesn’t like to deck up on a festival day? Probably not. So go ahead and splurge on top fashion apparel brands. There are so many to choose from! Check these out – Shoppers Stop, Lifestyle, Marks & Spencer, Allen Solly, Westside – the list is endless!

3. Jewellery and Watches

How about gifting some precious gold and diamond jewellery and top branded watches to your loved ones? Consider brands such as Bluestone or Candere. When it comes to watches, consider Helios and World of Titan for fine watches and Fastrack for fashionable, youthful watches.

4. A great shared experience!

Ganesh chaturthi is a day for families and friends to get together and celebrate. What better way to do that than to enjoy a fabulous meal together? Consider gifting your loved ones a great meal at Spaghetti Kitchen, Noodle Bar and other restaurants. You can see everyone smiling in anticipation already, can’t you?

Here’s How To Make Gifting Easier This Year

Whether you’re residing at home or in another city, you can still send them the gifts of their choice. Do it simply and easily via gift cards. It’s easy – buy a gift card, gift voucher or e-gift card from the brand your loved one favors. Let them choose their own gifts from the store outlets. E-gift cards are delivered within minutes, so they’re perfect for last minute gifts. To make it more personalized you could try sending E-gift cards using the Woohoo app which allows you to add pictures, voice-notes and text and can be instantly delivered via Whatsapp, SMS or email. So just go ahead and celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi this year, knowing that gifting will never be a problem again.

What Do You Plan On Gifting Your Loved Ones This Ganesh Chaturthi?

1. Books

2. Apparel

3. Jewellery and Watches

4. A great shared experience!

Last Updated on August 24,2017.

Say it With Gift Cards

The coverage received for Qwikcilver & Woohoo in both The Hindu Business Line and The Hindu on 6th August 2017, in a special column ‘Spend Smart’.

Often, we may want to gift a beloved one on an occasion, but find it difficult to zero-in on what would be most suitable. In such situations, there are benefits in handing out a gift card. The receiver can use it to purchase products or services of their choice.

Buying a card

Gift cards can either be physical or electronic. Physical cards resemble a credit or debit card and have a number and pin. These cards can be preloaded with a desired amount of money and gifted to anyone. They can be swiped at any of the point-of-sale (POS) terminals or used for online purchases. An e-card can be used only for online purchases.

The gift cards can be bought online or from banks or merchants. Bank cards are typically issued by credit card service providers such as VISA, MasterCard or RuPay and can be used at any merchant outlet. Merchant cards are restricted for purchases of that brand of product or service, at their establishments. Some cards may require activation by calling a toll-free number to register before use. The cards can be used multiple times till the amount is exhausted. Once used, they cannot be reloaded.

The minimum and maximum amounts vary with the merchant and the bank. For example, Bank of India’s gift cards are available for a minimum of ₹500 and a maximum of ₹1 lakh, in multiples of ₹1. To buy a bank card, you need not be a customer of that bank.

Cards from merchants are typically free while banks may charge a fee. For instance, KVB charges ₹50 plus taxes to non-customers on card purchases of over ₹5,000.

You may also have some choices in personalising the look and feel as well as the message that goes with the card. There may be some restrictions on the number and value of gift cards. For example, Flipkart lets you purchase only 100 gift cards in 30 days and the aggregate value cannot exceed ₹1 lakh.

The cards tend to be typically valid for one year. However, some bank cards, such as from Bank of India, are valid for three years. Cards from retailers may have shorter validity period.

Other features

Most cards support balance enquiry by calling a toll-free number or by sending an SMS. For store cards, a balance enquiry can be made at the time of purchase. Banks allow you to check your balance at the ATMs and ask for statements. For example, you can request a mini-statement on your IDBI gift card with the details of the last 10 transactions.

If the bank card expires before the amount is used, you will be able to claim the unused balance. Bank of Baroda, for example, gives a refund of unutilised amount of over ₹100. The claim must be made within three months from card expiry and there are charges for the refund. Stores do not typically allow refunds. There are various apps and online platforms that let you manage expiry and balance amounts on multiple cards. You can also resell the gift cards online by listing the card with a sale price (card value or at a discount). The platform verifies the saleability, validity and balance on the card. Some sites require you to hand over the physical card to them on listing. Others such as Woohoo.in make the old card void (if issued by them) and list a new card to ensure safety. Listing is free and a commission of 10 per cent is charged on sale. Sometimes, don’t many of us pool money to buy a gift? Portals such as Woohoo.in enable us to do this. It has a group-gifting feature to let multiple users contribute towards a card purchase.

Risks and security

Gift card users must be aware of basic security features. You can hot-list the card when it is lost — similar to a credit or debit card — by calling a toll-free number. “The balance amount in the card can be transferred to a new card and reissued”, says Pratap TP, CMO of Qwikcilver. However, many store cards do not require a pin or any authentication for use. While such open access is convenient, there is no recourse if you lose the card. Allowing a card to expire is another common issue. Pratap says that if the user’s case is genuine, stores often take permission from authorities to extend the validity of the card.

Top Ideas For Raksha Bandhan Gifts

Raksha Bandhan is a festival that symbolizes the precious bond between brothers and sisters. It’s the day when brothers reward their sisters with gifts and promises of everlasting protection and love. It’s the day when old grievances are forgiven and forgotten and when gifts are exchanged. Each year, people look for the coolest gifts and gizmos to gift their brothers and sisters. This year, we thought we’d add some magic to the mix and bring you some top ideas for Raksha Bandhan gifts.

Nothing Says Everlasting Love Like Jewelry!

Brothers, how about sealing your promise of love and protection with a beautiful piece of diamond jewelry? Diamonds last forever – ask any woman and she’ll tell you that’s true! Seal your promise of brotherly love in a simple creation by Bluestone. You’ll be the best brother in the world and this year’s Raksha Bandhan will be the best ever as far as your sister is concerned.

How About Some Home and Kitchen Care?

If your sister has a home and kitchen to care for, here’s a great gift idea for this Raksha Bandhan. Buy her all the kitchen and home care items her heart desires from fabulous brands such as Prestige, @Home, HomeShop, Spencer’s, or Viveks. Help her shine up her home with the latest utilities and furnishings this year and you’ll be the best brother ever!

How About Some Exciting Fashion?

Who can say no to a brand new wardrobe, filled with beautiful clothes from fantastic brands? Brands such as Allen Solly, Levi’s, Planet Fashion, Elle, Myntra, Westside and others? Which sister would say no to the latest fashion from these brands? Definitely not yours and you know it.

Gift Quickly, And With Ease

So here you go – a plethora of exciting gift options and brands for you to choose from. Feeling confused and overwhelmed? Don’t – we are here to help you. All you have to do is to select a gift card or e-gift card from the brand you like. Let your sister pick and choose the items she wants from the outlet stores. Not sure if you have enough time before Raksha Bandhan? Just pick up an e-gift card from a top brand and your sister will get your gift within the hour. Can it get better than this?

(Updated on August 6, 2017)

Friendship Day – Celebration, Fun and Gifts!

We all know the quote – “A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.” How many of you agree with this quote? Wouldn’t you count on your pals to stand by you through the roller-coaster of life? True friends are your treasured companions who heal and soothe bad memories. This Friendship Day, shouldn’t you try to make them feel wanted and important in your life?

Cherishing Friendships

Life is a long journey and you need true friends are the ones who light it up. Sending thoughtful and personalized gifts to your friends is a good way to cherish and celebrate those friendships. They will always remember you as someone who stands by them through thick and thin.

However, buying a gift for a friend is not easy. Your friends are important to you, and you will want to impress them with something that they’ll truly appreciate. Yet, with the plenty of choices that always surround you, how to decide what your best friends would like best? Woohoo gives you the opportunity to celebrate Friendship Day in a grand and fun-filled manner. We all have different types of friends gift cards and vouchers who have plethora of preferences, making it difficult to choose the right gift that fits. . If you have not found the time to shop for a Friendship Day gift, Woohoo lets you dispatch gift cards in a jiffy. It is super convenient, and you can send personalized e-gift cards to them in an instant. These cards are sure to be well received. Create a stir and strike the right chord by choosing gift cards from Woohoo.

Friendship Day Gifting Pointers

An invaluable tip – tailor your gift to suit your precious friend’s unique persona and stage of life. How about a deluxe and ritzy Titan watch gift card for the busy bee? A package tour with Cleartrip gift card would make the day for the adventurous and outdoor kind. A movie buff will be more than happy to get a BookMyShow gift voucher. If your pal is a foodie, spring a surprise on him with a Dineout gift card. Clinch your friendship with a memorable gift card and keep those friendships going forever.

Check out Exciting Friendship Day Offers on Gift Cards.

Animate your E-gift cards With Our Jazzy Templates!

E-gift cards or E-gift vouchers are fast becoming the preferred gifting choice of the new-age gift givers. All one needs to do is pick an e-gift card and send it out to the recipient via email or WhatsApp. The very next instant, the recipient can spend and buy what they truly want with your e-gift. No more waiting. And, no more worrying about your loved ones liking your gift.

That’s not just it! We know that you want your e-gift conveys the warmth and love behind your gesture of gifting as well. This is why Woohoo.in has a selection of colourful e-gift card themes and templates based on the gifting occasion. Be it birthdays, anniversaries, wedding or festive gifting occasions, you will find a beautiful theme or template to add your love and feeling to the e gift card.

And, now there is more! You can add Jazzy animations into your e-gift cards!

Check out these animated templates Woohoo.in has got for you to jazz-up your e-gift vouchers.

Rakshabandhan is coming up. This Rakhi gift is sure to delight your sister.

Birthdays are specials. So is your e-gift!.

Gift for a wedding anniversary? Let your e-gift card do the talking.

Wish in style for all occasions!

So, go ahead, add some animation-glitz to your e-gift cards and make your gifts stand out the best among the lot.

Gift the Joy of Entertainment – 20% Discount on BookMyShow Gift Cards

As far as gifts go, people think in terms of tangible items such as books, watches, electronics, clothing and so on. What about gifting an experience? A movie, dance or stand-up comedy show experience as a gift? Opt for a BookMyShow gift card. Whatever the occasions be, a BookMyshow e gift card is sure to delight the recipient. And, there is more. Bookmyshow gift cards are now available at 20% DISCOUNT on Woohoo.in & Woohoo App.

A Perfect Rakshabandhan Gift

Rakshabandhan is around the corner! Don’t bother browsing through boring, dusty stalls in inane gift shops for something that your brother or sister might like. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to gift them a great movie experience when there are a bunch of not-to miss movies running near their favourite cinemas? Buy a Bookmyshow e-gift card at 20% discount and send instantly to your siblings with the Rakhi special E-Gift Card templates. They’ll love your lovely Rakhi gifts all the more.