Ah, the humble gift card. It's like being handed a ticket to a good time - typically a fairly specific good time, albeit.
Whether you're rewarding a team, thanking a client, or marking a milestone, gift cards are one of the most popular ways UK businesses show appreciation. But with hundreds of options out there, which ones do people actually want?
We've pulled together the 10 most popular gift cards in the UK for 2026 - ranked by versatility, employee preference, and how well they work for business gifting. We'll also cover how to choose between them, and whether there's a smarter option than picking just one.
The 10 most popular gift cards in the UK
Here's a quick snapshot before we dig into each one:
- Amazon - Universal appeal, huge range (digital & physical)
- John Lewis & Partners - Premium feel, wide range (digital & physical)
- Marks & Spencer - Broad appeal across food, clothing and home (digital & physical)
- One4All - Multi-store flexibility (digital & physical)
- Love2Shop - High street variety (digital & physical)
- Tesco - Everyday essentials (digital & physical)
- Costa Coffee - Small, thoughtful gesture (digital & physical)
- Primark - Younger demographics, fashion (physical only)
- H&M - Fashion-forward, wide age range (digital & physical)
- Uber Eats - Food delivery, remote-friendly (digital only)
1. Amazon Gift Card
No surprises here. Amazon is consistently the most popular gift card in the UK - and for good reason. With millions of products across every category imaginable, recipients can choose exactly what they want.
Why businesses love it: Universal appeal. Whether your team is made up of bookworms, tech enthusiasts, or new parents, everyone can find something on Amazon. Digital delivery means it works brilliantly for remote and hybrid teams.
The catch: It's convenient, but it's not exactly personal. Handing someone an Amazon voucher can feel a bit like saying "I didn't know what to get you" - which might not be the message you're going for with employee recognition.
Best for: Large teams where individual preferences vary widely.
2. John Lewis & Partners Gift Card
John Lewis carries a sense of quality that few other retailers match. From homeware and electronics to fashion and beauty, it's a gift card that feels considered rather than generic.
Why businesses love it: It strikes that sweet spot between practical and premium. A John Lewis gift card feels like a proper gift, not just a voucher. It's a particularly popular choice for milestone rewards, long-service awards, and client thank-yous.
The catch: Not everyone shops at John Lewis, especially employees on tighter budgets. The product range is broad but skews towards a higher price point.
Best for: Client gifting, senior staff recognition, and milestone celebrations.
3. Marks & Spencer Gift Card
M&S gift cards are brilliant because they cover so many bases - food, clothing, homeware, and beauty. For many UK employees, an M&S gift card means a treat from the food hall, a new jumper, or a bottle of something nice.
Why businesses love it: Broad demographic appeal. M&S resonates across age groups and lifestyles. The food hall factor makes it feel like a treat rather than a transaction.
The catch: Like any single-retailer card, you're betting that your recipient shops at M&S. For younger employees, it may not be their first choice.
Best for: Mixed teams across different age groups and locations.
4. One4All Gift Card
One4All is a multi-store gift card that can be spent at over 140 UK retailers, including Argos, H&M, Currys, New Look, and TK Maxx. It's one of the most popular multi-store options in the UK.
Why businesses love it: One card, loads of options. You don't have to guess which retailer your team prefers - they choose for themselves. It's widely accepted and well known.
The catch: Not all retailers accept it online (some are in-store only), which can be frustrating for remote workers. The activation and spending process can feel a bit clunky compared to retailer-specific cards. And some employees find that a "multi-store card" still doesn't cover the places they actually shop.
Best for: Businesses wanting a single gift card that covers multiple retailers.
5. Love2Shop Gift Card
Love2Shop has been a staple in UK corporate gifting for years. Accepted at over 100 high street and online retailers - including M&S, Argos, TK Maxx, and Boots - it's a familiar name in HR departments across the country.
Why businesses love it: Well-established reputation in the corporate gifting space, with business accounts and bulk ordering. It's been the go-to for employee reward programmes for a long time.
The catch: The brand feels quite dated compared to newer options. Redemption restrictions (some retailers in-store only) and the physical-first approach don't suit modern hybrid workforces as well as they once did. There's also been a shift away from traditional voucher schemes as employees expect more personalised rewards.
Best for: Organisations with existing Love2Shop business accounts, particularly for high-street-focused teams.
6. Tesco Gift Card
Practical and versatile, a Tesco gift card covers groceries, clothing (F&F), electronics, homeware, and more. For many employees, it translates directly into real, everyday value.
Why businesses love it: It's the definition of practical. Employees can put it towards their weekly shop, which during cost-of-living pressures, can feel more meaningful than a luxury gift card they'd never buy themselves.
The catch: A Tesco gift card doesn't exactly scream "we appreciate you." It's practical, yes - but it can feel more like a utility payment than a recognition moment.
Best for: Cost-of-living support gestures and practical employee appreciation.
7. Costa Coffee Gift Card
Sometimes a small gesture goes a long way. A Costa gift card is the corporate equivalent of saying "grab a coffee on us" - simple, warm, and universally appreciated.
Why businesses love it: Low cost, high impact for quick recognition moments. Perfect for "thank you" gestures, team treats, and peer-to-peer recognition. Digital delivery makes it instant.
The catch: It's limited to one retailer and one category. Great as a top-up treat, but it's not going to work for a significant reward or milestone.
Best for: Peer-to-peer recognition, quick thank-yous, and small-gesture programmes.
8. Primark Gift Card
Primark's gift card has surged in popularity, especially among younger employees. Affordable fashion, homewares, and beauty products make it a fun, accessible choice.
Why businesses love it: It's budget-friendly and appeals to a younger demographic. Employees can stretch their gift card value further than at most other retailers.
The catch: Only redeemable in-store - there's no online Primark shop. That's a dealbreaker for remote teams or employees without a Primark nearby.
Best for: Younger teams with easy access to a Primark store.
9. H&M Gift Card
H&M offers a good range of clothing, accessories, and home products at accessible prices. The digital gift card option makes it easy to distribute to remote teams.
Why businesses love it: Fashion-forward without the high price tag. Works across a wide age range, and the digital option makes it practical for distributed teams. H&M Home has broadened the appeal beyond just clothing.
The catch: Fashion taste is personal. Not everyone shops at H&M, and the brand may not feel premium enough for client-facing gifting.
Best for: Fashion-conscious teams, younger demographics, and international teams (H&M operates globally).
10. Uber Eats Gift Card
A more recent addition to the corporate gifting scene, Uber Eats gift cards let recipients order food delivery from thousands of local restaurants. It's a modern, experience-led alternative to traditional retail gift cards.
Why businesses love it: Perfect for remote teams - everyone can enjoy a meal at home. It's also great for team celebrations, Friday treats, and "lunch is on us" moments. Digital-only delivery means instant sending.
The catch: Only useful if the recipient uses food delivery apps. Not available in all areas, and it ties the gift to a single platform.
Best for: Remote and hybrid teams, informal recognition, and team celebrations.
How to choose the right gift card for your business
Picking the right gift card isn't just about popularity - it's about what works for your team and what you're trying to achieve. Here are a few things to consider:
Think about your audience
A John Lewis card might land perfectly with a senior leadership team, but your graduate intake might prefer Primark or Uber Eats. The more diverse your workforce, the harder it becomes to pick one card that suits everyone.
Consider the occasion
Quick peer recognition? A Costa or Uber Eats card does the job. Annual performance rewards? Something more substantial like John Lewis or M&S carries more weight. The gift should match the moment.
Don't forget practicality
Remote teams can't use in-store-only gift cards. If half your workforce works from home, make sure whatever you choose has a digital option and can be redeemed online.
Watch the tax implications
In the UK, gift cards given to employees can fall under the trivial benefits exemption (up to £50 per occasion) or may be taxable as a benefit-in-kind. It's worth checking the rules before you order in bulk.
The problem with choosing just one gift card
Here's the thing: no matter which card you pick from this list, you'll always leave someone out. The Amazon loyalist doesn't shop at John Lewis. The Primark fan doesn't drink Costa. The remote worker can't get to Tesco.
This is the fundamental challenge with gift cards for business - you're making a choice on behalf of someone else. And when the gift doesn't quite fit, it stops feeling like recognition and starts feeling like an afterthought.
Research backs this up. Studies consistently show that unredeemed gift cards (known as "breakage") account for billions of pounds globally every year. In many cases, the gift card you carefully selected ends up forgotten in a drawer or expired in an inbox.
A smarter way to send gift cards
Rather than juggling multiple retailers and hoping you've picked the right one, platforms like Huggg let you send gift cards across a huge range of categories - all from one place.
Through Huggg, you can send gift cards for:
- Coffee shops - Costa, Starbucks, and other popular chains
- Takeaway - top UK delivery platforms for a meal on you
- Retail - high street and online favourites
- Supermarkets - the UK's leading grocery brands
- Dining and drinks - restaurants, bars, and pubs
- Experiences - spa days, treatments, and activities
- Lunch - quick bites at well-known spots
- Treat yourself - a curated mix of self-care and indulgence
- Plus some more unusual options - including a charity shop gift card, for employees who'd rather their gift went to a good cause
Gift card values range from £5 to £300, so whether you're sending a quick coffee to say thanks or a meaningful reward for a big milestone, there's an option that fits. Everything is digital-first, so it works just as well for remote and hybrid teams as it does for office-based staff.
For HR teams, the big advantage is simplicity. Instead of setting up accounts with five different gift card providers, you manage everything through one platform - one order, one invoice, one process.
And if you want to go one step further?
Huggg also offers something called Gift with Choice - where instead of picking a specific gift card for someone, you send a gift that the recipient claims themselves. They choose from a curated selection of options across all those same categories.
It's the difference between "here's a voucher for Costa" and "here's a gift - pick whatever makes you happy."
For employee recognition programmes with diverse teams, Gift with Choice solves the guesswork entirely. And for client gifting, where you might not know someone's preferences at all, it's a particularly smart option.
Quick comparison: traditional providers vs Huggg
Traditional gift card providers (Prezzee, Love2Shop, etc.)
- Tied to specific retailer networks with redemption restrictions
- Often physical-first, with limited digital options
- Bulk ordering can be clunky, especially across multiple brands
- You pick the retailer, not the recipient
- Managing multiple suppliers and accounts gets complicated fast
Huggg
- Gift cards across eight categories - coffee, takeaway, retail, supermarkets, dining, experiences, lunch, and more
- Digital-first and remote-friendly from the start
- Values from £5 to £300, sent and managed from one platform
- Option to let the recipient choose their own gift (Gift with Choice)
- One account, one invoice - no supplier juggling
FAQs
What is the most popular gift card in the UK?
Amazon is consistently the most popular gift card in the UK, thanks to its enormous product range and universal appeal. For business gifting, John Lewis and M&S are also top choices due to their premium feel and broad demographic appeal.
What is a multi-store gift card?
A multi-store gift card (sometimes called a multi-shop gift card) can be redeemed at multiple retailers rather than just one. Popular options in the UK include One4All and Love2Shop. They give recipients more flexibility than a single-retailer card, though they may still have restrictions on which shops accept them.
Are gift cards taxable for employees in the UK?
Gift cards can qualify for the trivial benefits exemption if they cost £50 or less per occasion and aren't part of a contractual obligation. Above that threshold, they may be subject to tax and National Insurance. Check out our full guide to employee gifts and tax for more detail.
Can I buy gift cards in bulk for my business?
Yes - most major retailers offer bulk purchasing options, and platforms like Prezzee and Love2Shop have dedicated business portals for corporate orders. Huggg also lets you send gift cards across multiple categories - coffee shops, takeaway, retail, supermarkets, dining, and more - all from one platform, with values from £5 to £300.
What's better than a gift card for employees?
If you want to stick with gift cards, using a platform like Huggg that covers multiple categories in one place is a good step up from single-retailer cards. For even more flexibility, Huggg's Gift with Choice option lets the recipient pick their own gift from a curated selection - avoiding the wrong-retailer problem entirely. Read more about why companies are moving beyond traditional gift card providers.
Send a choice of gifts
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