Local software firm Mobilitrix has begun rolling out digital vouchers to the South African retail market, after signing a partnership deal with UCS, a point-of-sale solutions provider.
Mobilitrix has created a technology that digitises paper-based retail vouchers and shopping coupons in order to prevent counterfeit and fraud.
Mobilitrix CEO, Chris Rolfe, says: “We are taking the world of paper-based vouchers, digitising them, and in so doing aim to grow the market segment by making it more intelligent, more measureable and more driven toward completing the commercial transaction between brands and retailers.”
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According to Rolfe, the company has already signed agreements with certain retailers but declined to provide specific details as to which stores will use the solution this year.
“We have plans to extensively roll out the solution throughout the country during the rest of the year and we hope to achieve 100% penetration of the market,” adds Rolfe.
The solution enables retailers to send out electronic discount vouchers in the form of an SMS to their customers. The SMSes have a unique voucher code which can be redeemed at a store for product discounts.
Rolfe says SMS technology enables retailers to communicate with their customers in a cost-effective way. “Issuing your customers a unique voucher or coupon for one of your products helps to measure and track marketing spend and create a believable return on investment.”
Eyeing retail
Rolfe explains that retailers can use the technology in different ways; via SMS, WAP, Java applications and system-to-system communication.
He adds that Mobilitrix is targeting social networking sites, where retailers can distribute vouchers via Facebook and LinkedIn. The company will also approach online retailers.
“The retail market has become more competitive and we've noticed strong growth in areas of reward-based loyalty. We've been working on the solution for a year-and-a-half and we are now ready to roll out the technology,” adds Rolfe.
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