The Problem With Gift Cards

3 min read

(And Why It's Actually a Business Opportunity)

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Table of Contents


Introduction- The problem with gift cards

Are gift cards more hassle than they're worth? Not when you approach them with the right tools. While many businesses worry about fraud, compliance, or operational costs, these aren't problems—they're opportunities in disguise.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the common concerns businesses have about gift cards and show how Enjovia’s secure, streamlined, and user-friendly platform helps turn these concerns into real profit drivers. Check out our full platform offering here.

1. Fraud and Security Risks

Gift cards are a magnet for fraudsters—whether it’s through cloned cards, unauthorized access, or third-party scams. This not only impacts your bottom line but also damages customer trust.

With the rise of digital transactions, cybercriminals are constantly finding new ways to exploit gift card systems. From phishing emails to brute-force attacks on card numbers, the methods are evolving.

Solution: Turn Risk Into Trust & Loyalty

With the right digital infrastructure, security risks can be minimized and customer trust maximized.
Enjovia’s Solution:
Enjovia offers secure, closed-loop digital gift cards with unique codes and encrypted transaction processes. You can track every transaction in real-time, ensuring full transparency and control.

Business Opportunity:
A secure system positions your brand as trustworthy and professional—helping to build long-term customer loyalty and reduce fraud-related losses.

Key Features:

  • Secure Payment Gateway to ensure safe transactions.
  • Unique QR Codes for every voucher, minimizing duplication and unauthorized use.
  • Randomized Gift Card Numbers that are difficult to guess or replicate.
  • Real-time Analytics to flag and respond to suspicious activity.

2. Unredeemed Balances and Accounting Complexity

Unused gift cards can be tricky. Do they count as liability or income? How do you account for breakage (the percentage of cards never redeemed)? These are valid financial concerns.

Solution: See Breakage As Predictable Revenue

When managed well, unredeemed balances (breakage) become a predictable revenue stream.
Enjovia’s Solution:
Their platform includes robust reporting tools that track redemption rates and breakage, helping you forecast and plan accurately. Set custom expiry dates and get full financial visibility.

Business Opportunity:
With transparency over redemptions and liabilities, gift cards become a smart way to manage cash flow—especially around peak seasons.

Key Points:

  • "Breakage" (unredeemed cards) becomes predictable income.
  • Accounting for gift cards is easier with reporting tools.
  • Some businesses earn up to 20% of their gift card revenue from breakage. (source)

3. Implementation and Maintenance Costs

Setting up a gift card system can feel overwhelming—between tech integrations, staff training, and ongoing updates, the costs can spiral quickly.

Solution: Scale Smart With Ready-Made Tools

Not every solution needs to be built from scratch.

Enjovia’s Solution:
Enjovia provides a turnkey, cloud-based platform that’s quick to launch and easy to manage. No custom development needed. Plus, it integrates with your existing booking or e-commerce system.

Business Opportunity:
You get a professional gift card solution without the overhead—ideal for both small businesses and large enterprises looking to scale fast.

Key Points:

  • Start-up and training costs can be barriers.
  • Maintenance and user issues may deter adoption.

More Benefits:

  • Easy Implementation – set up your gift card store in minutes.
  • Accessible Online Training Manual for onboarding staff.
  • In-Person Training Options available on request.
  • Low-Maintenance System with intuitive dashboard and automation.

From expiration dates to refund rules and dormant account regulations, staying compliant across different regions is a headache—and mistakes can be costly.

Solution: Automate Compliance, Focus on Growth

Compliance doesn’t have to be a legal labyrinth.
Enjovia’s Solution:
Set up rules within the platform for expiry dates, usage restrictions, and region-specific compliance. Everything is logged and reportable, making audits and reporting a breeze.

Business Opportunity:
A compliant system protects your brand and gives you peace of mind, letting you focus energy on growth and marketing, not red tape.

Key Points:

  • Laws vary for experience vs. monetary cards.
  • Expiry dates and fees must follow local rules.

Additional Insights:

  • Many gift card companies profit from expired or unused vouchers.
  • Enjovia allows you to configure and automate these settings based on your business region.

5. Impact on Business Valuation

Gift card liabilities can affect a company's financial statements and, consequently, its valuation. Potential buyers or investors may view significant unredeemed gift card balances as a risk.

Solution: Make Gift Cards a Strategic Financial Asset

When well-managed, gift cards signal steady customer demand and loyalty.
Enjovia’s Solution:
Detailed analytics, real-time redemption tracking, and accurate balance sheets ensure clean, trustworthy financials—great for investor reporting or M&A scenarios.

Business Opportunity:
Gift cards become proof of pre-paid customer commitment—something most investors love to see when done right.

Comparison graphic showing business valuation with and without Enjovia’s gift card platform, highlighting improved reporting, revenue, and investor confidence
Businesses using Enjovia for gift card management benefit from cleaner financial reporting, predictable revenue, and stronger investor appeal.

Key Points:

  • Poorly managed liabilities hurt valuation.
  • Accurate tracking can boost investor confidence.

Verified Statistics:

  • A study by Blackhawk Network showed 80% of consumers spend more than the card value.
  • Prepaid revenue often indicates a loyal, returning customer base.

Conclusion- The Problem with Gift Cards (And Why It's Actually a Business Opportunity)

Gift card problems aren’t roadblocks. They’re strategic growth levers.

Every problem with gift cards is really a growth opportunity in disguise. With a secure, scalable, and compliant system like Enjovia, businesses can eliminate risk, unlock new revenue, and build deeper customer relationships.

📢 Need help turning gift cards into growth? Explore the Enjovia platform and get started today.


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