Bring Back Our Mall Gift Cards!

HALIFAX , Feb. 8 /CNW Telbec/ - Greenwood Mall, Mic Mac Mall and Halifax Shopping Centre have launched www.bringbackourmallgiftcards.com, a website where consumers can encourage their MLA and the Nova Scotia government to revise regulations to allow gift cards to continue being sold by shopping centres in Nova Scotia.

New regulations in the province, which came into effect on February 1, 2010 , effectively eliminate the current shopping centre gift cards from the Nova Scotia marketplace.

The gift card program offered at shopping centres before the regulations were applied charged no upfront fees and had no expiry date. The program only began to collect a small fee of $2.50 per month, 15 months after the card had been activated. 96% of all funds on mall gift cards were redeemed prior to the 15 months. For these consumers no fees where ever charged.

"We support consumer protection; however, shopping centre gift cards are much different than single store cards," said Terry Harvie , General Manager, Mic Mac Mall . "Regulations in New Brunswick , British Columbia, Ontario and Manitoba all allow shopping centre gift cards to charge small dormancy fees beginning 15-18 months after purchase.

"We urge consumers to visit www.bringbackourmallgiftcards.com to obtain additional information on shopping centre gift cards and encourage their MLA to support consumer choice in the marketplace," said Susan Tidman, Marketing Director, Greenwood Mall.

"If malls in New Brunswick , British Columbia, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta are able to charge small fees, Nova Scotia malls should be able to as well," said Linda Townsend , Marketing Director, Halifax Shopping Centre.

For further information: Susan Tidman, Marketing Director, Greenwood Mall, [phone]; Cathy Murray, Property Manager, Mic Mac Mall, [phone]; Linda Townsend, Marketing Director, Halifax Shopping Centre, [phone]