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Best birthday gift ideas for your roommate on her birthday

You leave your family and friends to go away to study or work in a different city. The only person who remains close to you is your roommate. She’s the one who sees you through ups and downs at college or at work. She’s the one who runs to get your prescription when you’re sick. She’s the one who holds your hand when you’ve had a bad break up. Over time she becomes your best friend, and then your soul sister. When her birthday comes around, it’s your chance to say thank you for being there for you, and here’s how you do it.

Explore the world of gift cards

If you’ve lived with your roommate for a while, you’d probably know her likes and dislikes well. Maybe, she’s even hinted at exactly what she’d like for her birthday. Shopping for her birthday gift personally will be satisfying for you, but there’s no guarantee that she’ll like definitely like what you choose, right? Why not consider gifting her a gift card instead. That way she gets to choose what she would like to spend it on. If you are confident of the brand she would prefer, you could gift her a gift card from that particular brand, be it Amazon, Flipkart, Shoppers Stop, Lifestyle or others. Or better still, you could gift her a Woohoo gift card which is an umbrella gift card which she could swap for a gift card from any brand of her choice.

You could also make it more special for her by accompanying her on her shopping spree with the gift card you gift her. Won’t that add to her list of creating memories with you? There’s so much fun you can both have from just one tiny move on your part – buying a gift card instead of a gift!

Gift her an experience

Woohoo.in offers gift cards are not only limited to products but also extends to cover a whole lot of experiences. For instance, you could gift her an exquisite dining experience with gift cards from restaurants like Copper Chimney, Mainland China, Oh! Calcutta, Sigree and the like; or a movie experience at PVR; or a relaxing spa experience at Four Fountains Spa to pamper herself on her special day.

If you want to make her birthday gift more personal, you can gift her instant e-gift vouchers with the Woohoo app – to which you could add your selfies, pictures of the fun times you’ve had together, a voice note and text.

You know she’ll thank you for this – the best birthday gift she would’ve received!

Note: Image is from youtube.com .Copyright vests with respective copyright holders.

(Post updated on 17 Dec 2015)

Can’t decide what to gift your loved one? This startup has an answer

As appeared in techinasia.com on 29 August 2015, by Nikita Peer.

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Last diwali Ritwik Sharma’s employer gifted him a dinner set. Expensive cutlery. A nice gesture, but it’s the seventh dinner set he owns, so it’s destined to wind up in his storeroom. Shreya Momaya dreads weddings- not because she can’t decide what to wear, but because she suffers from “can’t decide what to gift” syndrome.

Bangalore-based Qwikcilver launched Woohoo, a gift card store aimed at solving this problem. Woohoo has partnered with brands from 400 cities to give the gift receiver a choice of buying from categories like kitchenware, apparel, and jewellery. The cards can also be redeemed for experiences like a trip to the movies, dining out, visiting a spa, or travel.

“Gift cards have emerged as the preferred gifting option for trendy and tech-savvy early adopters seeking novelty. Woohoo embodies all the joy, fresh vibrancy, and positive imagery needed for any gifting occasion,” says Qwikcilver co-founder Pratap TP.

Woohoo’s gift cards can be delivered to loved ones via SMS, email, or Whatsapp as well as physically.

The startup has partnered with 150 online and offline brands including Shoppers Stop, Lifestyle, Titan, Madura garments, Croma, Pizza Hut, Makemytrip, Flipkart, and Amazon. Woohoo says it will add 1,000 new brands in the next year. The goal is to offer enough variety that anyone can find something they want.

The gift cards can also be decorated using a variety of colourful templates and personalization options of photos, stickers, or messages to add a special tinge. There are occasions-based themes like birthdays and anniversaries or festival occasions like Diwali and Christmas.

The startup recently acquired Sourcen, a mobile technology developer. The deal was actually an acqui-hire of sorts that added a team of dozen mobile app developers who were instrumental in launching Woohoo.

Unexplored territory

Qwikcilver, a six-year-old startup, was founded by Pratap TP and Kumar Sudarshan, engineers from India’s premier institutes BITS-Pilani. Back then, gift cards as a consumer-driven business was non-existent in India. Qwikcilver initially focused on developing tech tools for providing stored-value-card solutions and gift cards to retail brands. With a flexible SaaS platform, the startup manages the entire gift card program for retailers including design, storage, and transactions pertaining to it.

“The biggest challenge was driving adoption at multiple levels – enterprise level, business unit level, cross functional level, and ultimately by the consumer,” says Pratap. “The excitement for a startup is only triggered by the complexity of the game on hand. The pavement pounding over the years and the confidence reposed in our platform and by our customers through the years has driven our mission,” he adds.

Qwikcilver is the first startup in India that’s backed by Amazon. Last year, the startup secured US$10 million in a funding round from Amazon and existing investors Helion Venture Partners and Accel Partners.

Qwikcilver claims it is the only player in the global arena that operates in an integrated manner – across offline and online brands, retailers, and corporates. The startup addresses a market that is handled by multiple players internationally – Ceridian SVS for physical card processing, Cashstar for digital card processing, Blackhawk and Incomm for distribution are some of the players in the international segments.

“We are doing what VISA and MasterCard have done for the credit card industry,” says Pratap.

Qwikcilver processes 50 million transactions across physical cards, digital cards, and mobile based engagements annually in India. It claims the annual gross value of these cards is INR10 billion (US$151 million).

Some of its clients include Arvind retail, Madura Garments, Flipkart, Cleartrip, and Amazon. The startup plans to add 100 international brands mainly from Middle East and Asia Pacific.

“Woohoo would be an anchor to drive additional sales and footfalls for our strategic partner stores with an app based shopping experience,” says Pratap.

The market size of the gifting industry is US$30 billion in India. “Digital gift cards are the fastest growing mode of gifting,” says Pratap who claims to have captured a 90 percent market share.

In India, gifting has been given a center-stage during festivals and marriages. Since gift purchases take place within two days of the event, instant gifting options are poised to grow.

QwikCilver riding on rising demand for gift cards

As appeared in thehindubusinessline.com on 1 June 2015, by Sangeetha Chengappa.

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The Indian gift card market is expected to receive fresh funding of up to $50 million which will enable key players such as Amazon-backed QwikCilver Solutions to ride the next wave of growth in digital cards.

Increasing consumer adoption of gift cards over the last two years, especially digital gift cards over physical cards, has seen QwikCilver’s sales growing 300 per cent year-on-year. The ₹3,000-crore Indian gift market card is expected to touch ₹9,000 crore by FY-2018.

TP Pratap, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer, QwikCilver Solutions Pvt Ltd, told BusinessLinethat currently, 5 million gift cards worth ₹1,000 crore are in circulation activated by the 100 brands the company has partnered with across 20 different consumption categories, spanning departmental stores, food & beverages, e-commerce, retail fashion chains, PVR entertainment, among others.

“The fresh infusion of funds by our partner brands will take us to the next level of growth, where we are aiming for ₹3,000 crore in sales by March, enabled by QwikCilver gift cards,” Pratap said.

Founded in 2008 by Kumar Sudarsan, TP Pratap and Bhaskar Vasudevan, the start-up raised $10 million in Series C funding in December, led by Amazon Asia Pacific with participation from its existing investors, Helion Venture Partners and Accel Partners.

The start-up recently acquired Sourcen, a mobile technology start-up, for its team of 12 who specialise in mobile app development. While the acquisition did not involve a cash payout, stock options have been given to some of the key members of the Sourcen team.

“We were working with Sourcen over the last six months on developing Woohoo, a mobile app we launched last month that aggregates multiple payments options for consumers to transact at various retail outlets. We decided to acquire Sourcen and will ramp up the team by hiring mobile developers who will help integrate multiple currencies such as MobiKwik, Paytm, Vodafone and airline currencies to our platform” said Pratap. To support its growth, the company has made a spate of high profile hires over the last 12 months. QwikCilver hired Sanjay Tambwekar as its CTO, from NetApp; Saurabh Sharma to head product management, from Google; Anu Mathew to head Human Resources, from HCL Infosystems; Mahesh Bhalla to head Sales, from Dell and Gyaneshwaran to head Operations from IBM. The headcount has grown from 100 people, eight months ago to 250 people today.

On hiring-spree

“We are in the process of doubling our headcount over the next 12 months and are ramping up our core technology team of 25 to 75 over the next three months,” said Pratap.

QwikCilver also has its own website, GiftBig.com (now Woohoo.in) that sells gift cards usable on any of the 100 brands that it has partnered with.

Gift the latest technological devices from Croma

Croma is a techno-lover’s paradise, with a huge range of consumer electronics and durables. India hadn’t seen the likes of Croma before it was launched by Infiniti Retail Limited, a subsidiary of Tata Group. Croma offers an impressive range of over 6000 products across eight categories. The list is growing every day, but currently encompasses everything from smartphones, to high-tech cameras, computers, home appliances and entertainment consoles.

Croma for the discerning techno-lover

If you have a friend with a huge collection of various techno products, you cannot please him or her easily with your selection. Croma with its unbelievable range of products and great ambience makes your job easy. Making things easier is Woohoo.in, from where you can quickly and easily buy a Croma gift voucher for any value you choose. Your job is done right there – Woohoo takes care of the rest including special packaging and prompt delivery.

The Croma experience

When your friend receives the gift card, take the opportunity to visit your nearest Croma store along with him or her. You’ll be extremely impressed by the sheer size, range and the wonderful ambience of this store. You will find the latest technology from top brands such as Sony, Samsung, LG, Toshiba and many others here.
Helpful store assistants guide you to the product you want. The entire process of checking out a range of products and making your final selection takes very little time, due to the seamless customer experience at Croma. The store chain has also earned the “Most Admired Retailer” award for four years in a row for its dedication to enabling a hassle-free shopping experience for customers. That’s not an easy feat by anyone’s standards.

(Post updated on 18 Jan 2016)

Rakhi Gifts for Your Sibling

Rakshabandhan or Rakhi is a festival celebrated by Hindus with much fervor. The festival which celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters, has sisters tying the sacred thread, known as Rakhi to their brother’s wrist. In return, the brother promises to protect his sister unconditionally. With Rakhi just around the corner, brothers and sisters are excited to give each other great gifts. To help you choose the best and finest rakhi gifts for your brother or sister, we have shortlisted some ideas and rakhi gift options.

Buy Rakhi Gifts: Reaffirm Your Love for Your Brother on Rakhi

Having delicious food is an essential part of all the festivals in India. And your brother will surely enjoy a lovely home cooked meal. Invite him for lunch or dinner and whip up culinary delights which he cannot resist and you are sure to give your brother a rakhi gift he will cherish for a long time. Time-based gifts that remind you both of the times you spent together are great rakhi gift ideas as well. If you can bring back the candy you grew up with, photo albums from yesteryear or lay your hands over a silly toy you both coveted, you are assured a memorable gift for rakhi.

Apparel or Jewelery: What Will Your Sister Want This Rakhi?

When you were younger, your sister might have driven you up the wall. But, you may have been incredibly close to each other as well. Rakshabandhan is a great time to celebrate the lasting bond between you two, and also a time to give your sister a gift she will cherish, Confused over your options? From spa dates that will rejuvenate her to kitchenware or home décor items that will accentuate her home, there are a lot of options to choose from. Not to forget cosmetics or jewelry for the fashionista. Vibrant sarees, fancy bags and other Rakhi gift items also make great gifts.

One of the best options for rakhi gifts for your brother or sister are gift cards or gift vouchers. With e-gift cards or vouchers, you are also gifting them the freedom to choose a gift for themselves. Simply choose the denomination of the gift card or voucher according to your budget and save time as you buy a gift card online at Woohoo.in. Think Woohoo giftcard for rakshabandhan gifts this year!

Gift cards and E-Gift cards from Titan for the latest collection

Ok, Titan’s done it again! Two unbeatable new collections, and within the same timeframe – it’s way more than Titan fans can believe! First, there’s the Titan Edge 2012 Collection – a range of spellbinding designs from the world’s thinnest watch model. The Titan Edge watch collection is better than ever, with titanium casing, sapphire crystals, and water resistance capability of 3 ATM. Could any man resist the new Edge? We don’t think so. Then there’s the Raga Inspired by Cities collection – a wide range of spellbinding, delicate and lacy ladies watches inspired by the most memorable cities of the world. Owing a Titan Raga is every woman’s dream!

If your husband has always longed to own a Titan Edge watch, this is the best time to gift him one. The Titan Edge 2012 Collection’s launch is perfectly timed to bring you fabulous gifting choices for the festive season in November & December. Don’t deprive your husband of spending several blissful hours of staring at the new collection! Instead of buying him a watch of your choice, go ahead and buy him a World of Titan gift card or a Titan E-gift card. If it’s your wife you’re thinking of, take a look at the lyrically beautiful watches in the new Titan Raga Inspired by Cities collection. What strikes your fancy – the incomparably beautiful CANALA watch inspired by Venice, or OPERA inspired by Paris? Either way, accompany her when she goes to pick up her watch using your gift card. A chance to look at and admire the two splendorous collections – that’s a joint Diwali gift in and of itself.

Note: Image is from titanworld.com. Copyright vests with respective copyright holders.

Favourite Trend for Diwali- Gift Voucher

What are you gifting your wife this Diwali? How about a new set of furniture or home ware from Home Center LifeStyle? Why, you ask? If you’re asking, then you haven’t seen the spectacular offers from Home Center LifeStyle yet! Upon purchase of home wares for Rs. 5,999, you get Prestige Cookware set of 2 worth Rs. 1,125! Double that amount and you can get

Prestige Cookware set of 2 worth Rs. 2420. Is that reason enough? There’s more – after all it’s Diwali and LifeStyle believes in doing everything in grandiose style. Purchase furniture for Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 1,51,000 and above, and you’ll get a gift voucher for 10% of the amount you spend. So if you were planning on replacing your worn furniture either way, why not take advantage of this fabulous offer and earn 30% of the value back in the form of a gift voucher?

Here’s a strategy – don’t tell your wife about the offers. Just purchase a LifeStyle gift voucher for your gift amount. Accompany her to LifeStyle when she’s ready to go, and slowly guide her to the Home Ware and Furniture departments. Let her discover these fabulous offers on her own. LifeStyle’s fabulous array of classy furniture, beautiful carpets, wall hangings and elegant home ware are bound to delight your wife. These offers are so great, that others in your family and friend circle might also benefit. Consider gifting LifeStyle gift vouchers to your sister, mother, sister-in-law and other women in your family. By putting up these hard-to-resist offers, LifeStyle has made sure that Diwali this year will be very hard-to-forget indeed! Diwali gift vouchers are available online for your convenience!

CORPORATE GIFTING IDEAS FOR DIWALI

In the Indian calendar, the Diwali festival is of paramount importance, similar to Christmas in the west. Businesses, both large and small, like to show their appreciation for their employees by handing out Diwali gifts. This is a long-standing tradition in many companies. Apart from showing appreciation, Diwali and New Years’ gifts help boost employee morale and generate greater loyalty. That’s the reason why large corporates dedicate people to come up with unique and perfect corporate gifts strategies. This year, make sure that your Diwali gift ideas resonate with the spirit and joy of Diwali. Allow your employees to choose what they want, instead of picking up random gifts which they may or may not like or even consider tasteful.

This year, instead of spending Rs. 500 or Rs. 1000 on a tray of sweets, diya and dry fruits, buy your employees gift cards and vouchers. Keep in mind that gifts for employees must be generic. Therefore, look for brands that offer a wide range of general lifestyle and entertainment options. Here are some lifestyle options – Maya Lifestyle, Central, Shoppers’ Stop, Landmark, Flipkart, Westside and Big Bazaar. Here are some food and entertainment options – PVR Cinemas, Dominos, Pizza Corner, Sigree Restaurant, 13th Floor, Kyra Restaurant and Oh! Calcutta Restaurant. Books and music make great, impersonal gifts as well – think of Sapna Book House, Oxford Book Store and Flipkart.com As you can see, the options are endless. It only depends on the kind of gift you want to give your employees this year. What’s more, through gift vouchers and cards, you can even set the trend for years to come!

Cricketing Gift Ideas for Any One, Any Time

If you are looking for sporty gift ideas for November , then stop now. We have the answer for you–cricket. The England teams tour of India will start in November 2012. The tour involves 4 Tests, 5 ODI’s and 2 T20 games to be played across many cities across India. Men In Blue will be looking at trouncing the visitors in every game and you can cheer your cricketing icons through every game.

Now what thought goes through your mind when you see a white Nike swoosh on a blue surface? You immediately think of our national cricket team’s blue shirts, don’t you? That’s the power of Nike and its “Bleed Blue” cricket initiative. The Nike Swoosh along with the Indian Cricket Blue now represents the dreams and aspirations of a billion fans. Many months back, Nike sent tons of blue fabric to schools, Nike retail stores, colleges and cricket fields all over the country, encouraging people to dip their palms in white paint and place their handprint. Through this Bleed Blue campaign that also came alive in TV ads, Nike got millions of cricket fans to engage and interact with our cricket stars.

How about infecting a loved one with the Nike Bleed Blue initiative through a Nike prepaid gift card? There is no better way to join in the passion for cricket and for cheering the Indian cricket team. The choice of sporting apparel and accessories at the Nike Stores are endless from t-shirts, jackets, backpacks to bags and shoes; putting people immediately in the mood for a game of their favourite sport.

Best Birthday Gift idea For Your Boy Friend- Skyfall

The sky is falling! Are you ready? The newest James Bond movie, Skyfall, hits theatres in India this week. Going by the rumors, this movie is supposed to put all the other Bond movies to rest! Perfect release timing as well – the world celebrated the 50^th anniversary the first Bond movie, Dr. No, on October 5^th, the Global James Bond Day. There’s a bit of everything in Skyfall; the theft of high-end technology by terrorist agents, plenty of gunfire, thrilling escapes and international locations. And of course, Bond’s in the middle of everything as usual. Daniel Craig sizzles in this movie, moving with the speed of light as he dodges a sniper….no, we’re not giving you more than that, you’ve got to go see the movie!

So how are you going to watch Skyfall? All by yourself or with some exciting company? The latter, we hope. Make it really special – send a PVR Cinemas gift card in advance with a note that says, “Meet me at Skyfall”. Don’t say anything about when you plan to take your friend to the movie. The PVRCinemas gift card is valid for a number of months and you can use it to buy tickets and snacks as well. If your special movie companion is a major Bond fan, how about picking up a Landmark gift card as well? Your gift recipient can pick up any number of Bond memorabilia, including books, comics, Bond movie music CDs and the entire set of Bond movies till date! How about sending your friend a Pizza Corner gift voucher as well to let them know there’s going to be dinner after the movie!