Electronic payments processor TSYS has teamed with The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) to deliver a customised pre-paid gift card programme to music retailer HMV.
TSYS says the card-based programme was designed, tested and implemented in 12 weeks and launched in October for the 2004 holiday season. HMV says it sold more than one million gift cards before year-end.
The card-based service was designed as an alternative to HMV's paper-based voucher programme. The non-denominated, re-loadable cards are now available at 200 stores across the UK and can be activated in amounts ranging from £1 to £500.
Kelley Knutson, managing director for TSYS Europe, says: "The European gift-card market is in the developing stage and responsiveness is crucial to European retailers that are looking to implement a gift-card programme."
HMV Group says it also plans to introduce gift card services at its 189 Waterstones book stores across the UK in 2005.