PLEASANTON, Calif. – November 2, 2017 – Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc., a global financial technology company (“Blackhawk”), announced today that it has renewed its long-term contract with The Kroger Co. to provide in-store and digital gift card services.
“We are excited to build on our long-standing relationship with Kroger and work together to expand gift card products and solutions through both physical and digital channels,” said Talbott Roche, CEO and president of Blackhawk. “Kroger is an exceptional retailer who has embraced gift card best practices, new products and digital innovation.”
As consumers head into the peak holiday season, the National Retail Federation (NRF) released its annual consumer holiday spending survey[1]. The study found that gift cards continue to be the most requested gift on Americans’ wish lists as they have been for the past eleven years. According to the NRF, 61 percent of those surveyed will be asking for gift cards this holiday—ranking higher than any other gift option.
“We’re always looking for ways to bring our customers added convenience and value, and gift cards deliver the best of both, especially during the holidays,” said Gary Millerchip, CEO of Kroger Personal Finance. “As a long-term partner, Blackhawk provides us the breadth and depth of gift card content, technology and solutions to meet the needs of our customers today and in the future.”
About Blackhawk Network
Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAWK) is a global financial technology company and a leader in connecting brands and people through branded value solutions. Blackhawk platforms and solutions enable the management of stored value products, promotions and incentive programs in retail, ecommerce, financial services and mobile wallets. Blackhawk’s Hawk Commerce division offers technology solutions to businesses and direct to consumers. The Hawk Incentives division offers enterprise, SMB and reseller partners an array of platforms and branded value products to incent and reward consumers, employees and sales channels. Headquartered in Pleasanton, Calif., Blackhawk operates in 26 countries. For more information, please visit blackhawknetwork.com, hawkcommerce.com, hawkincentives.com or our product websites giftcards.com, giftcardmall.com, cardpool.com, giftcardlab.com and omnicard.com.
About Kroger
The Kroger Co. is dedicated to its purpose: to Feed the Human Spirit™. Learn more at thekrogerco.com.
[1] National Retail Federation 2017 consumer holiday spending survey: https://nrf.com/media/press-releases/nrf-consumer-survey-points-busy-holiday-season-backs-economic-forecast-and
