Riverside and Gift Up! From manual to fully automated Gift card sales: +65% growth in sales
Riverside wanted to sell gift cards online, but they wanted to do it right. No half measures, no manual processes that waste time and can cause errors. The goal was clear: a fully automated solution that seamlessly integrates with their existing booking system.
They found that solution in the combination of Gift Up! and Briq Bookings.
The challenge: automation without compromise
“We were looking for a way to sell gift cards online in a way that was completely automated and integrated,” Ben, Manager Riverside, explains. “We did not want to rely on a manual process as part of the journey.”
The problem was clear: manual processes don’t just cost time, they also create potential errors and customer frustration. Riverside was looking for a system where the entire customer journey runs without intervention: from purchase to redemption.
Why Gift Up! and Briq Bookings?
Gift Up! and Briq Bookings is a great combination. Consumers can buy gift cards in the widget of Gift Up! and easily redeem the gift cards in the Briq Bookings widget. Since both widget are integrated into the Riverside website the customer journey is smooth from start to finish. No external pages, no unfamiliar checkout environment. The customer stays on the Riverside website throughout, which benefits trust and conversion.
How it works in practice
The daily operation is exactly as simple as Riverside had hoped. “Cards are purchased by the customer online, with payment taken via Stripe, which can then be redeemed online via the usual booking process, meaning the whole customer journey is self-sufficient.” Everything is one flow, there is no team intervention required in the process.
And it goes further: “Customers who buy a gift card are also able to send e-vouchers/giftcards directly to the recipient of the giftcard.” There is no hassle with sending physical cards for Riverside.
Measurable results that convince
The numbers don’t lie. Since implementing the integration of Gift Up! with Briq Bookings, Riverside has seen their gift card sales increase by +65%. But perhaps the most interesting part is when these sales happen.
“Many of which happen outside of our usual reception hours so would likely not have been made without the online purchasing,” Riverside explains. People buy gift cards late at night, on weekends, at times when reception wouldn’t normally be available. These sales simply didn’t exist before.
What was manual is now automatic
The list of tasks that are now fully automated is impressive:
The entire gift card process runs without any manual intervention. “The whole gift card process is fully automated, including gift cards that have specific redemption times.”
Even more complex scenarios, such as vouchers that can only be redeemed at specific times, run without anyone needing to look at them.
Sending e-vouchers has become child’s play. “We are also able to offer customers e-vouchers with ease, only needing to enter a name and email address.” What used to be a whole process is now a matter of filling in two fields.
The customer experience: seamless and problem-free
The ultimate test for any system is of course: what do customers think of it? At Riverside, the answer is crystal clear.
“The experience is seamless for customers, meaning we get very few queries or questions.”
That says it all. When customers find the system intuitive and have no questions, it simply works. No support tickets, no confusing emails, no phone calls from people who don’t know how to use their gift card. The system explains itself, and that’s exactly how it should be.
Who is this solution suitable for?
Riverside is clear about who benefits most from this combination: “Any booking based business that wants to offer gift cards or e-vouchers.”
The core requirement is simple: if you have a business where people need to book in advance, and you want to sell gift cards, then this solution is worth considering. Whether you run an activity center, wellness facility, escape room, or similar concept.
The core of success
What makes this solution successful for Riverside? It comes down to three factors:
Complete automation – no manual processes means no extra workload, no errors, and no frustration.
Seamless integration – the gift card is purchased via their own website and used directly in the normal booking process. For the customer, it feels like one system.
Always available – with +65% growth, much of which is sold outside opening hours, Riverside proved that online availability directly generates revenue.
Conclusion
For Riverside, the combination of Gift Up! and Briq Bookings was exactly what they were looking for: a fully automated solution that seamlessly integrates with their existing systems. The result? More revenue, less work, and satisfied customers who purchase and use gift cards without questions or problems.
Want to automate your business’s gift card sales too? Contact us to discuss the possibilities.