Aberdeen Gift Card has been named the most successful in the UK for an unprecedented third year in a row after injecting almost £800,000 into local “bricks and mortar” businesses.
The stunning success of the gift card scheme means it has now generated some £4.7million in sales since it was introduced in 2020 by Aberdeen Inspired.
With people spending an average of 65% more than the face value of their card, that figure is closer to £7.75million.
Miconex, which operates some almost 100 Town & City Gift Card and Scotland Loves Local Gift Card initiatives, reported that Aberdeen’s was the top-selling in the UK, outstripping the likes of London, Glasgow and Cardiff by a considerable margin.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “Team Aberdeen Inspired is beyond proud that the Aberdeen Gift Card has been named the best-selling in the UK for a third year running, something which is unprecedented for a local gift card.
“The success of the Aberdeen Gift Card is also a huge success for the more than 300 businesses who are signed up to the initiative, from beauty salons to fashion outlets, theatres to restaurants and bars. Every penny spent on an Aberdeen Gift Card goes back into our bricks and mortar traders – with extra spend on top of that.
“Having injected a total of £7.75m into the local economy is a huge achievement and I want to thank every business who has signed up and everyone who has bought an Aberdeen Gift Card.”
Colin Munro, CEO of Miconex
Shona Byrne, Aberdeen Inspired’s project manager who oversees the Aberdeen Gift Card, said: “We have seen more and more people turn to the Aberdeen Gift Card as the perfect present, giving whoever receives it an amazing choice of where to spend it. That was underlined in the run-up to Christmas when Aberdeen Gift Cards were flying out the door.
“It’s not only individuals who are buying the Aberdeen Gift Card. An ever-growing number of employers – large and small – see the gift card as the perfect way to reward and retain valued staff.
“The Aberdeen Gift Card really is the gift that keeps on giving, whether it’s boosting local traders, increasing city centre footfall or putting a big smile on the face of everyone who receives one.”
Miconex announced £24m in local gift card sales in 2025, an increase of 60% on 2024, as shoppers make the move to local gift cards to show support for local businesses.
The global gift card specialist estimated that the £24m will drive 486,000 specific visits to high streets and shopping districts in 2026, based on estimates of three trips into town per gift card.
Colin Munro, CEO of Miconex, said: “The trailblazing Aberdeen Gift Card has once more shown the power of local gift cards to drive footfall and spend in our UK high streets, with an outstanding £800,000 in sales in 2025 and over £4.5m since launch.
“The success of the Aberdeen Gift Card is testament to the commitment and innovation of the Aberdeen Inspired team in building the Aberdeen Gift Card proposition, driving a ‘shop local’ ethos in the city, and making the card the number one choice for gifts, rewards and incentives.
“An Aberdeen Gift Card is the ultimate ‘shop local’ Gift Card, blending choice, support for local and ease of use. No other gift card can compete on these three factors combined.”
You can find out more about the Aberdeen Gift Card here.