Works councils hesitating between Tir Groupé gift vouchers and Edenred solutions can decide quickly: Tir Groupé captivates with its physical network of 62,000 points of sale while Edenred dominates the digital side with cards and e-codes usable at over 780 online and in-store retailers. The choice mainly depends on the desired employee benefits mix: proximity or omnichannel experience.
Quick comparison: Tir Groupé vs Edenred for a works council 🚀
To visualize at a glance the main differences, the table below summarizes the key points of interest for the corporate services department:
| Criterion ⚖️ | Tir Groupé 🛍️ | Edenred 💻 |
|---|---|---|
| Physical network | 62,000 partner shops | 48,000 authorized stores |
| Digital offers | E-chèque Liberté (2024) | MyEdenred app + Kadéos e-code |
| Management fees | On average 3% of the amount | From 2% to 3.5% depending on volume |
| Customization | 4 themed booklets (Liberté, Bonheur…) | Branded CE cards + video messages 🎥 |
| Delivery | 48 hours at pickup points | 24 hours by Chronopost or instant email |
| URSSAF exemption | Shared ceiling: €193 per employee (2025) – see our tips to optimize 🎯 | |
Why does this duel captivate works council representatives?
Since the new wave of remote work, the need for hybrid tools combining physical and digital payment solutions has exploded. Representatives are looking for:
- 🎁 Flexibility for employees spread across multiple sites
- 📊 Precise budget tracking to justify internal promotions
- 🚚 Simplified distribution during year-end peaks
Both issuers understand this, but each emphasizes a different channel, hence the importance of choosing according to your teams’ shopping habits.
Distinctive strengths of Tir Groupé gift vouchers 🛒
In the fictional SME “Solargreen”, 70% of the 300 employees prefer local commerce. Tir Groupé therefore naturally stands out thanks to these strengths:
- 🏪 Larger network of shops (including independent stores in town centers)
- 🔍 Simplified search by postal code on the “Je dépense mes chèques” app
- 🌱 4 targeted thematic booklets (Back to school 📚, Happiness 🍀, Freedom 🌈, Culture 🎬)
- 💡 Vouchers can be combined with in-store promotions
In 2025, new brands join the network: Sephora, Club Med, and even formerly independent local stores. For a more “souvenir” type gift, nothing prevents spending them in the Belle Époque shops of Vichy; find those listed here: Vichy souvenirs.
| Type of merchant 🏷️ | Examples of 2025 brands | Percentage of satisfied employees |
|---|---|---|
| Mass retail | Carrefour, Auchan | 92% |
| Gifts & leisure | Fnac, Cultura | 88% |
| Travel | Club Med, Pierre & Vacances | 74% |
Focus on local shopping experience
Anecdotes from Solargreen show that paper vouchers create a “pocket effect”: they burn holes in pockets and encourage quick spending in the nearby store, enhancing well-being at work through the dopamine of immediate purchase.
Strengths of Edenred Kadéos cards and e-codes 🌐
Conversely, the start-up “DataWave” (90% remote workers) opted for Edenred to align with fully digital usage.
- 📲 MyEdenred application with real-time balance
- 🛒 One-click payment on 200 marketplaces, including Amazon
- ♻️ “Charity donation” option: beneficiaries donate part to an NGO
- 🔐 Single-use virtual cards to secure purchases
The e-commerce approach opens the door to stylish second-hand: the Kadéos card is valid on Vinted, follow these best practices: giving stylish second-hand gifts.
| Digital service 📡 | Functionality | Benefit for the works council |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile wallet | Apple Pay / Google Wallet | No plastic card ➡️ fewer losses |
| HR dashboards | URSSAF Excel export | Simplified year-end |
| Works council API | SIRH integration | Distribution in 5 minutes |
What impact on company culture?
Edenred promotes a culture of flexibility: employees decide when and where to spend, including abroad. During a seminar in Prague, the DataWave team could pay for local souvenirs (ideas here: what to bring back from Prague) directly with e-codes.
5 criteria to choose the best payment solution for your works council 🏆
Before signing a contract, check the following items:
- 👥 Employee profiles: sedentary vs nomadic
- 🌍 Geographic area: proximity to partner shops
- 🔄 Distribution frequency: monthly, semi-annual, or annual
- 📉 Budget & hidden fees: commissions, shipping
- 🔒 GDPR compliance and data security
| Criterion | Recommended weighting | Evaluation tool 📐 |
|---|---|---|
| Store network | 30% | Interactive supplier map |
| Digitalization | 25% | Mobile app demo |
| Total cost | 20% | Comparative quote |
| Customer support | 15% | Tested hotline |
| CSR | 10% | Label: EcoVadis |
Ending this criteria grid provides a rational vision and avoids the trap of “love at first sight” choice.
Optimize employee benefits without URSSAF penalty 💡
Whichever platform is chosen, respecting the URSSAF ceiling remains key to maintain the exemption. In 2025, it is set at €193 per event per employee.
- 📈 Split allocations (Christmas, back to school, birth…)
- 🔎 Check receipts with a simple QR scan
- 📂 Archive proofs: Edenred offers a digital safe, Tir Groupé a PDF summary sheet
A complete guide is available here: optimize your gift vouchers.
| Event 🎉 | 2025 ceiling | Works council tip |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas | €193 | Complete with a local gadget, e.g. Alsace souvenirs: Strasbourg |
| Back to school | €193 | Prefer Tir Groupé “Back to school” booklets |
| Wedding/PACS | €193 | Offer a personalized Kadéos card 🎊 |
FAQ on works council gift vouchers (2025)
- What is the difference between a gift voucher and a gift card?
The voucher is a paper title with a predefined amount; the card is a plastic or virtual reusable support compatible with e-commerce. - Can Tir Groupé and Edenred be combined in the same works council?
Yes, provided that two supplier portals are managed; this allows to satisfy both store employees and online buyers. - Are expired gift vouchers refundable?
Tir Groupé offers a 6-month credit after expiration; Edenred applies re-issuance fees of about €10 per card. - Which solution is more ecological?
The dematerialized Edenred card eliminates plastic, but Tir Groupé now prints on FSC paper and encourages booklet recycling. - How to negotiate management fees?
Put the two suppliers in competition based on an annual volume, and ask for an employee appreciation bonus (e.g.: 1% added value in coupons).
