Brazilian Startup Valegift Expects New Form of Gifting to Grow Significantly This Holiday Season

ValeGift aims to shift the Brazilian gifting culture from traditional products to personal experiences.

2012-12-05

BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL, December 05, 2012 (Press-News.org) If you live in Brazil, your gift options are usually limited to traditional products. Shoes, accessories and clothing are among the most favored gifts.

ValeGift, a startup based in Belo Horizonte, introduces a new option: gift certificates of experiences. For example, you can buy a scuba diving course for USD 250. Or a sophisticated dinner for two people. Or even a set of dance lessons (imagine your friend's reaction when she finds out that you think she lacks dancing skills).

"Our customers appreciate the ability to purchase and gift an experience unique to the individual", says Virginia Bonfante, ValeGift's Marketing Director. She adds that "gift-cards are delivered in an elegant box with a personalized message". The website was recently overhauled to reflect its premium positioning.

On the merchant side, Joao Avila, a founding partner, informs that "Our reputation is only as good as our partners'. Hence, we have a rigorous merchant selection process". When a merchant is approved, ValeGift creates the gift certificates and sells them both through online and offline channels. "ValeGift offers (merchants) a hassle-free way of selling gift certificates. It enhances their brand, attracts new customers and increases loyalty of existing fans".

Currently, the gift certificate market is over USD 100 billion in the USA. In Brazil, however, this is still an incipient concept. "ValeGift offers the complete solution for businesses interested in selling gift certificates," says Joao. For consumers, it certainly is a welcome additional gift option!

ABOUT:

ValeGift is a Brazilian startup that helps merchants create and sell their gift certificates. Current operations are in beta and a national expansion is planned for 2013. The company is headquartered in Belo Horizonte and it was founded by two former Bain consultants with experience in the Brazilian e-commerce market.

Website: http://www.valegift.com.br

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