Shop Benicia: City Incentivizes Mobile Gift Card Program

BENICIA, CA — The city of Benicia on Cyber Monday announced a $10,000 grant to support shoppers who buy Shop Benicia eGift Cards this holiday season. Shoppers could collect up to $500 in free bonus gift cards, while supplies last.

The eGift Card program was designed to reward people for supporting small local retailers in Benicia while providing the public with a safe and convenient holiday shopping experience. The gift cards can be redeemed at any participating business in the city.

Because of the massive popularity in the Shop Benicia eGift Cards and bonuses — the original $10,000 funding from the city was exhausted in one week — the city this week resupplied the bonus with an additional grant of $7,500 to continue encouraging shoppers to support small, independent businesses in Benicia.

Here's are the bonuses available, with a maximum of 10 bonus gift cards per shopper:

• Buy a $25 gift card, get a bonus $10 gift card
• Buy a $50 gift card, get a bonus $25 gift card
• Buy a $100 gift card, get a bonus $50 gift card

"Shop Benicia lets small business owners compete with the sort of gift card programs offered by mega-retailers," said Mario Giuliani, economic development manager for the city of Benicia. "Part of what makes Benicia so special is our one-of-a-kind shopping experience. All our downtown businesses are locally-owned and unique — no chain stores or franchises to speak of. This program rewards people for supporting the incredible shops, restaurants, art galleries, salons & spas that make up the heart and soul of our community."

Cards appear on shoppers' mobile devices, or can be printed at home, and are used just like a physical gift card for in-store or online purchases. Cards can be purchased online at VisitBenicia.org/ShopBenicia, where shoppers can also find a full list of participating retailers, updated as more businesses come on board.

Shoppers can keep the bonus gift cards for themselves, or send them to loved ones via email or text message. The Shop Benicia eGift Cards purchased never expire; however, the bonus gift cards rewarded by the city do have an expiration date of Feb. 28, 2021.

Participation is free for local Benicia businesses, who can sign up for Shop Benicia here. The signup process takes only a few minutes, and includes custom-branded Shop Benicia eGift Cards, which can be sold on company websites, Facebook pages, or through the Shop Benicia page.