Moray Gift Card unveils new e-card format to help boost ‘shop local’ drive

A digital version of a popular local gift card has been launched.

The Moray Gift Card now comes in an e-card version which aims to enhance accessibility and convenience, making it even easier to support local businesses.

The announcement comes as the initiative approaches its third anniversary.

Purchasers can now select the digital Moray Gift Card, which can be emailed directly to the recipient and added to digital wallets using the Love Local app, enabling the recipient to ‘tap to pay’. The physical Moray Gift Card is still available.

First introduced in November 2021, over £160,000 of Moray Gift Cards have been sold in the region to date.

Over 260 local businesses now accept the Moray Gift Card including RG MacDonald, Butchers. Owner Paul Shorter said the introduction of the digital gift card reflects current payment trends:

He said: “The business was started by Ronnie Macdonald many years ago.

“I took over the butchers three years ago after 18 years as manager but didn’t see the sense in changing the name of an established and well-loved local business.

“We have made lots of improvements though, such as embracing new technology and offering ready meals. The focus is always on strong customer service and high quality products, sourced as locally as possible.

“We’re part of the Moray Gift Card because it’s great for presents and is just so easy for people to use. The good thing about the card is that people don’t have to use it all in one go, or all with one business, and they can spend it on what they want - from quality butcher meat to clothes.

“I think the introduction of the digital version of the Moray Gift Card will be popular. I’m surprised sometimes by how many people now - of all ages - are using their phone to pay in the shop, so the ability to buy a digital Moray Gift Card and have it on their phone is a positive step.

“Elgin is a lovely place with a nice community feel, and anything that brings people into town and encourages local shopping is a good thing.”

Louise Dunn from the Moray Gift Card said: “The Moray Gift Card is the ultimate shop local gift card with a vast selection of local shops, restaurants, services and more accepting it.

“The introduction of the digital e-card version of the Moray Gift Card makes it even easier to buy and gift to friends and family, so we can make support for local an easy, attractive choice for all.”

The Moray Gift Card is part of the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card initiative spearheaded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership and delivered by Perth based fintech Miconex.

Nicola Hutchison of Scotland's Towns Partnership, said: “Moray has been a trailblazer in showing how local gift cards can lock money into regional economies, by working collaboratively with local businesses to embrace the 'think local first' message.

“It's fantastic to see Moray at the forefront of the latest evolution of the gift card, opening up opportunities for the whole community.”

Colin Munro, managing director of Miconex, added: “How people pay is changing, with mobile phone payments becoming the norm, and digital gift cards overtaking physical gift cards in popularity for the first time in 2024.

“The introduction of the digital Moray Gift Card marks an important step in the evolution of the card, enhancing convenience and accessibility.”