The Real Reason Most Indians Don’t Use Gift Cards — And Why That’s Changing in 2025

The concept of Gift Cards is relatively new in India, where countries like the U.S., where every retail occasion involves Gift Cards, where in india the concept is still being introduced. So it never caught on a similar scale.

What are the things that held us back from buying gift card?

• Lack of awareness- many people still don’t know how Gift Cards work or how to use them. They think that Gift Cards are only used for premium and limited brands. And not knowing that they can save a lot and make it a new way to express their feelings
• Limited availability and redemption issues- in the past, very less shopkeepers used Gift Cards, which makes their experience worse, such as expired cards, balance confusion or not being able to redeem.
• Cash and UPI domination- because as many people are more into cashbacks and discounts for their instant payments, like PhonePe, Paytm and that’s why, they don’t think a Gift Card is necessary. 

 

Here’s how indians are accepting Gift Cards:-

• Easy digital access: With the help of platforms like EaseMyDeal, you can easily get multiple brand’s Gift Cards and redeem them in a few seconds without any issue. 
• Cashback and discounts: Gift Card has started rewarding with instant discount, buy a Rs 1000 Gift Card and pay only Rs 700 with savings of Rs 300.
• Rising online shopping culture: we love shopping and spending our weekends at home ordering food and our favorite dresses. So, Gift Cards have become a useful currency for platforms like Zomato, Swiggy, Myntra, Amazon etc. 
• Secure and trackable: rather than cash, Gift Cards are much easier to track, resend, etc.

 

What are Gift Cards for brands and businesses?

Brands that give flexible Gift Cards and are easy to use for first-time users. Gift Cards are becoming a daily lifestyle, whether it is a birthday, a wedding or anything else.    

In 2025, the Gift Card market is projected to the worth USD 13.98 billion and by 2030, it is expected to grow by USD 30.54 billion.

Gift Card- The only gift that never goes wron