Israeli Gifting Platform Sets Up Shop in Columbus

Written by Innovate New Albany@InnovateNA11 years ago

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Tired of giving money or an impersonal gift card for a wedding or birthday? You are not alone. According to Jifiti, a new gifting platform developed in Israel with operations in Central Ohio, focus groups show that many gifters reluctantly choose the generic solution out of fear that the recipient may not like the color, size or nature of the gift they select. However, giftees love getting gift cards and the freedom to choose their own present (instead of faking delight at the silly sweater Aunt Betty sent them). 

The solution is Jifiti’s gifting platform and app available at the iTunes Store and Google Play that allows Aunt Betty to give the gift she wants and the recipient to get what they actually want, instantly and regardless of where they live.

Jifiti takes the concept of a gift registry to an entirely new level, says Yaacov Martin, CEO of Jifiti and one of two cofounders who have set up shop at TechColumbus where staff are linked by Skype and a big screen TV to the third cofounder and team in their Israeli offices. Central Ohio, with its impressive roster of retailers was a logical choice, says Martin.

According to Martin, the system brings both the offline and online shopping experiences together at a time when online shopping has taken a bite out of retailers’ store sales. And, it allows shoppers to act on impulse, picking the item they want for their giftee with an app that scans the item or snaps a picture and teleports the gift image and a redemption code to the giftee with a note that it has just been purchased for them. The redemption code functions just like a gift card or credit so the giftee can use it on anything they want. (You just realized it’s your wife’s birthday? No sweat, she’ll have your heartfelt gift in 24 seconds guaranteed!)

The app currently features 25 retailers, including The Gap and Brookstone.
Learn more at jifiti.com.

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