Chicago-based Boomerang is kicking to the curb its initial local-merchant approach to social gifting. Instead it’s focusing on what it believes is a much bigger opportunity: tapping into the viral marketing potential of online gift cards. Read more »
Square is enabling gift cards for the first time, allowing its users to send presents to each other that can be redeemed at Square merchants. The system also works with Apple Passbook for iOS 6 users. Read more »
Chicago-based Boomerang, backed by Groupon founders’ Lightbank, is launching Tuesday to give Facebook users a way to give friends paperless gifts, including vouchers for local restaurants, spas, sporting companies and theaters. Some gift options are free, offering merchants a new way to attract customers. Read more »
Gift cards are big business: The industry as a whole brings in $100 billion annually. But gift card companies are not exactly known for being on the cutting edge of technology. But San Francisco-based startup Giftly is bringing serious innovation to how gift cards work. Read more »
Cardpool, the San Francisco-based startup that lets people buy, sell and trade unused gift cards, has been acquired by Blackhawk Network, a wholly owned subsidiary of grocery giant Safeway. Details about the deal are scarce, but Cardpool co-founder Anson Tsai says his investors “are quite happy.” Read more »
