Target enables customers to store gift cards electronically

Target customers are now able to store gift cards electronically and make in-store payments using their mobile phone. The Minneapolis-based retailer introduced their Mobile GiftCard last Tuesday, which allows customers to store their gift cards on the Target.com mobile side. When the customer wants to use the gift card, they access the Target site, log in and access their cards. At that point, their phone displays a bar code that Target employees can scan to process the transaction.

While this technology isn’t new, Target is the first major retailer to launch the service in all of its stores. Starbucks, 7-Eleven and J.C. Penny have the mobile scanning technology in a portion of their locations.