It had to happen. International gift certificates are now available over the Internet. The launch of company Globogifts.com marks the first time department stores have linked up electronically to bring a service to a global customer base.

From any connected system in the world, a customer may enable a transaction to and from Paris, London, New York and any other city represented by a GloboGift department store.

The gift certificates are redeemable in any branch of the chosen department store giving recipients access to more than 100 stores worldwide.

Some of the stores linked to GloboGifts are the UK's Selfridge's and Debenhams, US's Macy's, Canada's Hudson Bay, France's Galeries Lafayette, South Africa's Stuttaford's, Australia's Myer Grace Bros and Ireland's Brown Thomas.

There are three ways to purchase a GloboGift international gift certificate: in one of the participating stores, over the website www.GloboGift.com or through a corporate gift application.