NHFA, ProfitPoint To Provide Gift & Loyalty Cards

Gift Cards are the fastest growing payment mechanism in the U.S. today, and it is predicted that sales of gift cards across all industry segments will top $70 billion in 2006, up from the $1 billion in 1995, the year they were introduced into the marketplace. It is expected that sales of gift cards during the upcoming holiday will exceed $18 billion, offering further evidence that gift cards have become the “gift of choice” for consumers all across the country.

Recognizing this trend, and in response to the growing demand for an effective yet affordable gift/loyalty card solution, NHFA set its sights on establishing a program that would meet the needs of its membership base both now and well into the future. “The NHFA is always searching for products and programs that will benefit our membership. We are extremely excited to now offer our membership this exciting new Gift/Loyalty Card Program from Profit Point, Inc. designed to improve our member’s sales performance,” said Jerry Alderman, Senior Director of Membership and Member Services.

“We are very excited about this strategic partnership with NHFA. The association’s commitment to improving conditions in the Retail Home Furnishings industry is unquestionable as evidenced by the various programs and value added products and/or services NHFA brings to the membership base,” said ProfitPoint CEO Vaden Landers, commenting on the announcement. Landers added, “Our loyalty and gift card programs are designed to benefit our clients by increasing customer traffic, generating incremental sales, encouraging repeat business, and reducing the risk of shrinkage and exposure to fraud.”

Specialty retailers, especially those in the home furnishings sector, spend a significant amount of money each year marketing and advertising their products through a variety of media sources including print, radio and television. “When properly designed and implemented, a gift and loyalty card program can be the most cost-effective marketing dollar an organization will ever spend in terms of accomplishing the above stated mission critical business objectives,” Landers concluded.