The introduction of the digital ShopLK Gift Card in Letterkenny marks 20 years since the launch of the program and over €22.7million cards/vouchers sold. The launch caters for changing consumer behaviour and a move towards mobile wallet payments
Letterkenny Chamber has launched a new digital version of their record-breaking ShopLK Gift Card to enhance convenience and enable shop local for new markets.
Digital ShopLK Gift Cards can now be added to mobile wallets and spent in-store with the 250 plus registered businesses who are part of the local gift card.
€22.7 million of ShopLK gift cards/vouchers have been purchased since the launch of the program in 2004, with €5.7 million and €4 million in sales in 2023 and 2022 respectively. Initially a paper voucher program, the gift card was introduced in 2015.
Part of the award-winning Town & City Gift Card program from fintech Miconex, the ShopLK Gift Card was the top-selling local gift card in Ireland in 2023.
The introduction of a digital ShopLK Gift Card follows news from the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI), showing that €12 billion was spent using mobile wallets such as Apple Pay or Google Pay in the 12 months to March 2024 in Ireland, representing 50.5% of all contactless payments in this period.
A variety of different businesses, including national brands and independent businesses, are part of the ShopLK Gift Card. Toni Forrester, CEO at Letterkenny Chamber, said:
“There is a real demand for a digital ShopLK Gift Card, it’s something that people have been requesting for a number of years now, and we’re pleased to be able to finally deliver it.
“When we told our merchants who are part of the ShopLK Gift Card that the digital version was on its way, the first question was ‘when?’ Mobile wallet payments are the norm now, many people only use their phones to pay. It’s another option for consumers, reflecting changing consumer behaviour, and offering a seamless experience.
“In the last 20 years, we’ve powered shop local through the ShopLK Gift Card to an extraordinary degree and that’s something we want to continue to build, encouraging new generations to continue to support Letterkenny. The more we can enable ‘shop local’ and the more barriers we can remove, the stronger our economy in Letterkenny will be.”
Letterkenny Chamber President Claire McDonough said the launch of digital will enhance the accessibility and attractiveness of the card for various audiences:
“The main benefit of the new digital Shop LK Gift Card is convenience. Being able to gift a digital ShopLK Gift Card that is with a recipient within minutes makes it extremely convenient, especially for last minute gifts.
“The Irish diaspora population is huge, particularly in countries like Australia and the US, and the digital option for the ShopLK Gift Card makes it easier for them to gift a little piece of Letterkenny to friends and family living here.”
Digital ShopLK Gift Cards are facilitated through Miconex’s Love Local app. Using the app, recipients can add the e-card balance to their mobile wallet, view participating businesses, see their balance and spend online using their phone or smart watch.
Managing Director of Miconex Colin Munro said: “Data suggests that by 2026 mobile wallet payments will overtake card payments. The introduction of the digital ShopLK Gift Card represents the next phase of an exciting journey for this trailblazing local gift card, positioning the card for further growth and opportunities.”