Blackhawk Network, based in California, has expanded its relationship with European branded payments company Recharge.com to distribute gift cards digitally through the global branded payments provider in the US and Canada. The addition, intended to boost digital gift card options for consumers in North America, will add onto Recharge and BHN’s existing partnership in Europe.
“We are excited to expand our footprint in the US and Canada with BHN, furthering our goal of global coverage and supporting even more customers and merchants,” Günther Vogelpoel, Recharge.com CEO said. “BHN’s open and closed loop card brand network further enable us to meet increasing demands of customers throughout North America.”
As a result of the launch, BHN will offer egift and virtual prepaid card brands on recharge.com’s digital market, including merchant-specific gift cards, open loop gift cards used everywhere the card is accepted and versatile multi-store egifts.
“Gift and prepaid cards have become staples in the lives of consumers around the world, connecting shoppers with their favorite brands and allowing them to celebrate meaningful occasions with those they care about,” Steve Dekker, BHN managing director, Americas said.
“In an increasingly globalized world, enabling cross-border gifting and money movement is more important than ever. Additionally, preference for egifts and purchasing online is on the rise,” Dekker said. “Based on consumer research and our own sales data, there was double-digit growth in egift and ecommerce sales of gift cards in the most recent holiday season. We’re proud to grow our relationship with Recharge.com, which is innovating global delivery of digital gift and prepaid cards around the world.”
Recharge.com offers branded prepaid cards and the ability to purchase digital gift and prepaid cards to consumers in more than 180 countries and 14 languages.
“Recharge.com’s innovative global marketplace, a one stop shop for branded prepaid payments, enables consumers to easily give gifts across the globe,” a recent press release states. “Recently referenced by Research and Markets as a leader of the European digital gift card market, Recharge.com is expanding its relationship with BHN to grow market share in North America.”