MARKET WATCH
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ICL Gets Patent to Validate and Clear Paper Coupons Electronically
Intelligent Clearing Network has received US Patent #8,386,309 for the electronic validation and clearing of paper coupons. ICN is now rolling out its Coupon Validation Center suite of products nationally. The award of the patent comes as the company completes a successful six-month test of electronic, real-time validation and clearing of paper coupons in a live retail environment.
While digital coupons are increasing in use and popularity, paper coupons remain the principal form of promotional discounts for grocery, drug, and mass merchandise retailers representing more than 90% of the national advertised offers. These offers have traditionally been viewed by the industry as a way to create widespread awareness, but remain a headache because of instances of mis- and mal-redemption. ICN’s patented solution aims to address these long-standing concerns that have intensified in the current promotional environment.
“Today, digital promotions are being delivered to consumers through a range of sources — from websites and email to mobile phones; however, paper coupons continue to represent the majority of offers in the marketplace and have been a challenge of every retailer. These retailers are looking for a single solution, which allows the validation, and clearing of both paper and digital coupons through a single streamlined process. This is the solution that ICN now brings to the marketplace though its patented approach,” said Eric Williams, former CIO of Catalina Marketing.
“As digital coupon usage continue to grow, ICN’s technology can handle both digital and paper processing through the same point-of-sale connection and manage the critical issue of deal stacking between these two forms of coupons,” says Rich Thibedeau, Executive VP of Operations for ICN.
ICN’s technology works by capturing item-level transaction data in real time and intercepting each paper coupon as it is scanned at the POS. Validation is performed in milliseconds by ICN’s server. The server then instructs the POS how to handle the coupon. This up-front validation stops erroneous and fraudulent tendering of coupons and reduces or eliminates the need for costly back-end accounting for paper coupons.
"There is no comprehensive solution like this one to achieve real-time validation at the POS,” said Don King, a former Procter & Gamble executive who is familiar with coupon issues “Ultimately, shoppers will benefit from a more efficient checkout experience.”
ICN’s solution is extremely flexible and can fully validate all coupon barcodes including GS1, System 5 and system 99 as well as the unique requirements of custom retailer barcodes. One of the key features of the ICN system is its ability to validate the consumer-specific barcode printed on most home-printed-coupons. Using the Patented ICN system, retailers can now be assured of the validity of these home-printed offers right at the checkstand. The system provides the print-at-home industry with a solution to address the issues of coupon fraud once and for all.
ICN’s hosted service can provide retailers with family-code-level validation and up-to-the-minute fraud protection efficiently, without the retailer having to manage the Family code file. For retailers that do store-level coupon accounting, this is an opportunity to save on labor. The system will audit the electronic record against the paper coupons turned in by each store and report discrepancies automatically and accurately.
Inmar Reaches out to Independent Retailers
Inmar, an operator of intelligent commerce networks, has chosen reach│influence to market Inmar’s digital promotion solutions to independent grocers. Based in Troy, Michigan, reach│influence will be the exclusive provider of Inmar's cloud e-wallet program for paperless coupons to the independent retail grocery channel where ownership is 50 locations or less.
Inmar's cloud e-wallet program for paperless coupons is one of the many solutions delivered through its industry-leading real-time relationship platform. Inmar’s real-time relationship platform is cloud-based — offering maximum flexibility and security with no incremental capital expenditures.
In choosing reach│influence as its channel partner, Inmar placed particular importance on the group’s in-depth understanding of technology and its influence on shopper behavior. Other factors were the group’s experience in employing data to effectively inform promotion strategy and their success with engaging grocery retailers in developing and/or enhancing shopper loyalty programs.
“We’ve found just the team we need to help us further accelerate growth of the Inmar Promotion Network,” said Inmar CEO David Mounts. “We believe their command of the digital promotion ecosystem - combined with their insight into the marketing function of the independent grocery channel - will be invaluable as we work to add retailers to our Promotion Network that already comprises more than 14,000 digitally enabled retail rooftops.”
New Pay Program for Cumberland Farms
Shoppers at Cumberland Farms convenience stores can now pay for purchases using their mobile phones or by swiping a debit card. To offer this option, the operator of 600 C-stores in 11 states is using an upgraded SmartPay Check-Link payment program.
The retailer worked with the National Payment Card Association (NPCA) to enhance its original program. NPCA ensures secure, PIN-based debit transactions to one's checking account every time a customer swipes their card or pays with their mobile phone.
Grocers Link e-Coupons to Credit, Debit Cards
Lunds and Byerly’s, two independent grocers in the Minneapolis marketplace, have launched a digital coupon program that allows consumers to have offers delivered right to their debit or credit card. The grocers are using a program called “Linkables” from Boston-based Linkable Networks.
“Card-linked offers allow consumers to reap the benefits of coupons without ever having to bring a paper coupon into a store,” said Tom Burgess, CEO of Linkable Networks. “If they see an offer they like, they simply click or text to link it to their card. When they shop in store, the savings are automatically credited back to their card.”
Nielsen Acquires G4 Analytics
Nielsen acquired G4 Analytics, its cloud-based software platform and on-going client relationships. The firm is a provider of end-to-end sales planning applications for CPG manufacturers.
The acquisition extends Nielsen’s position as a provider of trade promotion management, driving client value by combining Nielsen’s data and trade promotion modelling and strategic planning capabilities with G4 Analytics’ cloud based applications for tactical sales planning and retail execution. The solution is designed to create a true end-to-end solution for trade promotion optimization and management.
K-VA-T Debuts e-Coupons to Loyalty Cards
K-VA-T, operator of 104 Food City supermarkets, has launched e-ValuCard Savers that enables shoppers to electronically download manufacturer coupons from the grocer’s website to their loyalty card.
“We are certainly excited to be able to provide our loyal customers with added savings through our new e-ValuCard Savers program,” said Steven C. Smith, Food City president and chief executive officer. “It’s fast, convenient and extremely easy to use.”
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