A Talking Retail survey from January this year found that 85% of Brits want more independent businesses on their high street.
And putting that in effect, UK independents outperformed larger high street chains over the most recent Christmas trading period.
One of the ways this is showing up is through gift cards. GCVA data from late 2025 found that almost a third of UK consumers now buy gift cards specifically to direct spending toward local businesses. That's notable because a gift card isn't a browse or a bookmark. It's money committed upfront, before a product is even chosen.
For businesses, that means revenue now, not later. For customers, it removes the decision fatigue of choosing exactly the right item at exactly the right time. And when the gift card is for someone else, it introduces a new customer to a brand they might not have found on their own.
With Steppr, vouchers are issued by the businesses themselves, payments go straight to them, and repeat purchases unlock higher discounts. It's a straightforward way to back an independent brand, whether for yourself or as a gift.
The connection between gift cards and local spending isn't new. But it does seem to be getting stronger.
