Jan 21, 2009

Gift cards pitched as way to entice shoppers to Palm SpringsBy Stefanie FrithMyDesert.com

With more than 500 businesses in downtown and uptown Palm Springs, shoppers have plenty of choices.

But unlike the Desert Hills Premium Outlets in Cabazon (130 stores) or Westfield Palm Desert (150 stores), downtown Palm Springs isn’t a mall.

Even so, downtown officials want to use some of the marketing techniques employed by malls as a way to attract more consumer dollars to the area.

Officials are considering offering patrons a gift card redeemable at any of Palm Springs’ many restaurants, boutiques and galleries.

This isn’t an original marketing plan. Most malls have a gift card that can be used at any store within their confines.

“I think this is a great idea,” said Charlie Robles, general manager of the Andreas Hotel & Spa on Indian Canyon Drive downtown.

Robles, a member of the Business Improvement District board of directors, heard a brief presentation about the gift card program Tuesday during the BID’s monthly meeting.

Downtown Administrator Tammy Perezchica presented the idea as a way to market the district and create a way to track where conventioneers and tourists are spending money.

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