Now Is the Time to Order Book Sense Gift Cards for the Holidays

Book Sense Gift Card Designs

According to comScore Networks, an Internet research firm, by December 20, 2002 holiday sales of gift cards and e-mail certificates had soared 64 percent over the previous year, pushing the 2002 total toward $250 million. "To take advantage of this growing consumer demand for gift cards during the 2003 holiday season, bookstores with Book Sense need to sign up for the Book Sense Gift Card Program and place orders for cards now," said ABA Marketing Director Jill Perlstein. "The Book Sense generic designs are currently in production, and we expect that they will be ready for shipment during the week of September 15. We are encouraging booksellers to sign-up and order cards immediately so that they can start selling cards by October 1."

Booksellers who desire a logo added to a generic card need to add another 10 working days for delivery from the mid-September date, Perlstein noted. And booksellers who wish to create a custom card should plan on a minimum of eight weeks once a design has been approved. It is recommended that, to have a custom design in place by Thanksgiving, the card design process begin in early September.

"We suggest to stores wishing to imprint their logo or create custom cards that they consider purchasing a minimum order of generic cards to merchandise around their bookstores and to use as back up while waiting for their customized cards," Perlstein said.

The Book Sense Electronic Gift Card Program Participation Agreement, order forms, card designs, a schedule of fees, and answers to many of booksellers' questions about the gift card program are available online at www.BookWeb.org/read/6303.

At the regional association trade shows this fall, booksellers will be able to experience a hands-on demonstration of the Book Sense Gift Card Program at the ABA/Book Sense booth on the show floors and will have opportunities to win training sessions in ABA raffles.

Questions about the program may be addressed to Jill Perlstein at (800) 637-0037 or (914) 591-2665, ext. 1283 or via e-mail at [email protected].