Netflix launches gift cards in stores

Office Depot, Winn-Dixie among first retail partners

By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 11/30/2007 3:34:00 PM

NOV. 30 | Netflix will be offering gift cards for the first time this holiday season.

Retailers signed up to sell the cards, which offer either one-month or three-month Netflix subscriptions, include Office Depot, Winn-Dixie and Barnes & Noble College Booksellers. Additional storefronts should be added in 2008.

The one-month card is expected to be priced at $15.99; the three-month, $47.97.

Both cards let people rent three DVDs at one time, and there is also an option to watch some movies instantly by streaming them online on the Netflix Web site.

The cards never expire.

Netflix wants to tap the potential in the fast-growing gift card market. The National Retail Federation predicts that gift card sales this holiday season will total over $25 billion.

“Introducing gift cards this holiday season is part of our larger strategy to expand retail distribution over time,” said Jessie Teitz, VP of marketing at Netflix. “The end goal is to make it as easy as possible for consumers to give the gift of Netflix or purchase it for themselves.”