GCash Partner Solutions empower businesses to win customers this ‘Mega Holiday Season’

The holiday season in the Philippines is unlike any other in the world. It begins early, with Filipinos commencing their festive celebrations as soon as September kicks off. Recognizing the significance of this season, GCash, the nation’s leading finance app, hosted the latest installment of the “GCash Insider,” the “GCash Insider: Mega Holiday” event at Xylo, BGC on September 7, 2023. This event aimed to shed light on how businesses can win customers during this ‘mega’ holiday season.

Winsley Bangit, GCash’s Vice President for New Businesses, emphasized the importance of early planning. “The festivities in the Philippines begin as early as September so businesses should already start gearing up as early as now. Filipinos go all out during these months so strategizing is key to connecting with your customers,” he stated. He mentioned that with 70% of Filipino shoppers now relying on smartphones for exploration and purchases, technology and e-commerce have become indispensable for meeting consumer demands.

Moreover, GCash understands that the holiday season is not just vital for their consumer base, but also for the countless businesses that rely on their platform. Katrina Ronquillo, GCash’s B2B Marketing Head for New Businesses, emphasized the importance of familiarizing the target market. “We see consumer spending and brand engagement increase, both online and offline. People are excited, even if it means braving traffic. Knowing your customer is essential, and we anticipate a mega season ahead,” she said.

Carlos Bauza, the Innovations and AdTech head for GCash, then shared insights from their recent online market research. They discovered that some of the most unusual items were highly reviewed online, from flavored soda to haunted items and even phone jail cells. The value, volume, and user base for online transactions have all increased significantly. “Despite the massive growth of online, almost half still do offline purchases because of security and value of the product. Consumer spending also has grown in both, and it has to be in targeted driven channels that we need to be in so we can drive sales,” he stated. Thus, GCash addresses this by introducing Voucher Ads, a solution combining vouchers and ads for seamless transactions and enhanced savings.

The Chief Data Officer of GCash, Sara Venturina, also shared the importance of understanding customers through “shopaholic segments.” GCash curates more than 50 unique customer profiles or “affinities” including foodies, K-fans, eco-warriors, medicine buyers, pro gamers, etc. These are based on the consumers’ daily transactions, allowing businesses to align businesses’ brand messages with customers’ interests, thereby enhancing brand preference and loyalty.

Claude Gomez, Head of Insights Analytics and Globe Synergies, then delved into the data points, particularly the money flowing in and out of wallets. According to him, lending penetration has grown ninefold in the past three years, a trend expected to surge in December. Most of these purchases are related to gadgets, making personalized offers through GCash Hyper AI Ads (beta) highly effective. GCash also offers GEO-TARGET ADS, enabling real-time updates and alerts within a 100-meter radius, promoting in-store offers, driving foot traffic, and engaging a curated audience.

Indeed, GCash is set to be an ally for businesses and consumers as the holiday season approaches. With its innovative features, the finance app is gearing up for a mega holiday season that promises joy for all. To learn more about GCash Partner Solutions, visit bit.ly/gcashpartnersolutions or email [email protected] for inquiries.