This report gives a detailed look at how the Love Cambridge Gift Card has performed over the past year, covering both corporate and consumer activity across different times of the year.
Using the sales and redemption data available, it highlights how the Gift Cards have been used, showing clear patterns in buying behaviour and identifying what has worked well and where there might be opportunities to improve.
While Christmas remains a key period for both corporate orders and consumer purchases, this report mainly looks at activity across the rest of the year. The focus is on practical, data-driven insights. By comparing trends across different periods, we can see what is performing strongly and what could be done differently to grow sales and engagement next year. The report also highlights opportunities to build on success, particularly around corporate gifting, promotional activity, and partnerships with local businesses.
Overall, the purpose of this report is to provide a clear picture of how the Love Cambridge Gift Card has performed over the year, while pointing to ways the programme can continue to grow, deliver value for businesses and consumers, and support spending in the wider Cambridge economy.
2024 v 2025 Digital Sales
June 2024 saw the launch of a digital version of the Gift Card, creating an option for customers who could add a version to Apple wallet or Google Pay and allowing businesses who did not have a swipe feature on their card machines to join the project.
Digital sales saw an increase from £1,955 in 2024, to £4,620 in 2025.
2025 Sales by month
January - £12,665
February - £8,895
March - £7,285
April - £4,360
May - £6,920
June - £7,605
July - £20,452
August - £3,080
September - £8,090
October - £9,355
November - £9,975
December - £34,953
Overall, December saw the largest number of sales when comparing the figures to the rest of the year. Gift Card sales are often the highest during the festive December period, largely due to the number of corporate orders that come through for end of year staff gifting. Similarly, July was a strong month, with £20,452 in Gift Cards purchased.
Looking at the rest of the year, January started relatively strong at (£12,665), followed by slightly lower sales in February (£8,895) and March (£7,285). Sales dipped further in April (£4,360) before gradually increasing through May (£6,920) and June (£7,605), leading into the summer peak in July. August was a quieter month (£3,080), but activity picked up again in the autumn, with September (£8,090), October (£9,355), and November (£9,975) steadily building towards the December peak.
This pattern highlights that targeted campaigns aligned to major gifting moments — particularly Christmas and summer teacher gifting — are highly effective and should remain a core focus. At the same time, there are opportunities to explore new campaigns or promotions during quieter months to drive additional sales.
2024 v 2025 Sales
Total sales in 2025 reached £133,365, making it the highest-performing year to date. This represents a £31,051.50 increase compared to 2024, which recorded £102,583.50 in sales.
Overall demand for the Love Cambridge Gift Card is growing strongly year-on-year, showing increased trust and usage across both consumer and corporate audiences.
Festive Corporate Gifting
Christmas orders account for a significant proportion of annual Love Cambridge Gift Card sales, with the festive season consistently delivering the strongest sales of the year.
Historically, demand peaks between November and December as businesses place corporate orders for employee rewards and client gifting, while consumer purchases increase in line with seasonal retail spending trends. This increase in Christmas sales not only brings in a large share of yearly revenue over a short period but also continues to benefit local businesses after the festive season.
Many Gift Cards bought at Christmas are redeemed in the months that follow, helping to drive spending during the quieter start to the year. As a result, strong Christmas sales are a key factor in overall annual gift card performance and ongoing support for the local economy.
£15,595 worth of Corporate Love Cambridge Gift Cards were purchased during November/December 2025 – making up 11.67% of total 2025 sales.
Gift Card Kiosk
In December 2025, we introduced a brand-new Love Cambridge Gift Card kiosk, conveniently located in the Grand Arcade shopping centre. The kiosk provides a more accessible and visible way for people to purchase Gift Cards, making it easier than ever for last minute shoppers to buy.
Acting as the first in person location where customers can purchase a Gift Card, it helps to raise awareness and drive impulse purchases. Moreover, the kiosk can ensure that customers have multiple convenient ways to purchase gift cards throughout the year, rather than relying on purchasing online and waiting for delivery timescales.
Since launching a month ago in December, the kiosk has made £1,680 in total sales.
