Direct marketer Valpak is taking its coupons mobile. Valpak has recently launched free mobile coupon applications for the Android, iPhone, iPod Touch, and Palm Pre mobile and smartphone platforms. Valpak delivers more than 17,000 offers through the mobile couponing app platform, the same as those available in digital format on Valpak.com, according to RetailerDaily.
Discount, Dept. Stores Offer Mobile Coupons
An increasing number of retailers are joining the mobile coupon revolution. Discount chain Target recently launched a new national mobile coupon program that allows customers to receive mobile coupons directly on their mobile phones and redeem them by scanning a barcode at checkout.
Target says it is the first national retailer to offer scannable mobile coupons directly to customers’ mobile phones for redemption in all of its stores. Department store retailer JCPenney has been piloting a similar program at select stores in the Houston, Texas area that allows customers to download and carry coupons on their mobile phones that can be scanned directly from the phone’s display screen at the register.
Supermarkets Take Digital Coupon Lead
More than any other vertical, the supermarket vertical has enthusiastically taken advantage of the potential offered by mobile and digital coupons. Last month, telecom provider Verizon started offering a free digital supermarket coupon service for its wireless and FiOS TV customers. Customers can obtain Verizon SpendSmart digital coupons via wireless phone, TV or computer.
Verizon is capitalizing on the actions of numerous supermarket retailers. The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (A&P) is partnering with internet coupon provider Coupons.com to offer online coupon galleries on several of its banner websites. A&P’s e-commerce sites now feature coupon galleries with hundreds of dollars worth of coupons across all product categories. Customers can enter their ZIP code to obtain coupons specific to their area and print desired coupons with one click.
HyVee, Inc. is expanding the multichannel online service capabilities available on its web site. Customers are now able to shop the inventory of local stores, create shopping lists and locate coupons, among other online options.
Other retailers in the supermarket vertical are also providing customers with multichannel service offerings. Safeway supermarket banners including Tom Thumb and Randalls also participate in the Cellfire mobile coupon network, allowing members of the two chains’ loyalty club programs to automatically download coupons on their loyalty cards
