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Safeway Inc. subsidiary Blackhawk Network Monday announced that corporations now can use its Rewards Visa Gift Card for employee-incentive programs. "We see it being used in such ways as employee-recognition programs, sales-team incentives, and for employer health-and-wellness programs," says Teri Llach, Blackhawk group vice president of product development and marketing. "It's going to have a wealth of uses." Blackhawk can customize the card with corporate logos, colors and personalized messages. The cards are for one-time use only, and cardholders can load the cards with between $10 and $750. There are no card fees, and expiration dates vary. Companies also can use the card as a consumer incentive, Llach says. "You see these all the time: test drive this card or try this product and receive a $25 gift card," she says. The incentive market has changed from physical items such as suitcases and coffee machines to gift cards because of their growing popularity, Llach says. Blackhawk also can customize cards used as consumer incentives with company logos, colors and personalized messages.
