Edenred Payment Solutions has launched an omnichannel gift card programme for UK retailer Toolstation.
The closed-loop gift card scheme allows Toolstation customers to purchase and redeem cards across the retailer's full range of sales channels, including its network of more than 590+ UK branches, its website, and its mobile app. The programme was developed and brought to market within eight weeks, according to Edenred Payment Solutions.
The gift card programme runs on Edenred Payment Solutions' API-based payments platform, which provides Toolstation with card processing functionality covering real-time top-ups, balance enquiries, and redemptions integrated directly into Toolstation's checkout systems without third-party redirects. Edenred Payment Solutions has also provided Toolstation's team with customer service management tools and analytics dashboards intended to track card activity, breakage, customer behaviour, and campaign performance.
Load values on the cards range from GBP 1 to GBP 500, allowing use for both smaller purchases and larger transactions such as tool purchases by trade customers.
Development process and timeline
According to Edenred Payment Solutions, the project began with an assessment of the opportunity for Toolstation to introduce a gift card offering, followed by consultation with Toolstation stakeholders on product requirements. Toolstation subsequently set a target to complete integration, card manufacture, and in-store launch within eight weeks, which Edenred Payment Solutions says its project team met through collaboration with multiple Toolstation stakeholders.
Edenred Payment Solutions operates as a licensed Electronic Money Institution (EMI) and provides payment services within the payments sector. Toolstation is described as a supplier of tools and building supplies operating in the UK market.
Strategic and commercial context
For Toolstation, the gift card programme is positioned as a mechanism for customer acquisition, guaranteed future spend, and increased average order values. The company also intends to integrate the cards with its existing loyalty initiatives, using them as promotional incentives and competition rewards, and has indicated potential for future community and business-to-business (B2B) applications.
For customers, the programme is designed to offer channel choice between web, app, and in-store purchasing and redemption, alongside flexible load values and integration into existing purchasing journeys without additional friction.
Gift card programmes of this type allow retailers to combine payment functionality with customer retention tools, linking prepaid balances to loyalty mechanics and giving retailers visibility into redemption patterns through analytics reporting. The Toolstation programme reflects a continued trend among UK retailers of adding closed-loop gift card options alongside existing loyalty and payment infrastructure.
