By George Anderson
Customers at select Sainsbury's in the U.K. can now download product discount coupons directly from their cell phone, reports The Wise Marketer.
The coupon program called "M-Bar-Go" allows shoppers to sign up through a registration phone number. After being accepted, the customers receive back a bar code via text messaging, which can be scanned at a store's checkout directly from the screen on their phone.
If consumers prefer not to receive the bar code through their cell phone, they also have the option of having it sent via email or downloading it from the service's Web site.
Once a shopper is enrolled, they receive weekly offers (no charge for calls or the service) from brand manufacturers. Unilever, Masterfoods, P&G are among the companies participating in the test program.
In addition to receiving pre-set coupons, consumers also have the ability to request discounts by product category.
Moderator's Comment: How will cell phone and related technologies change how consumers shop? What impact will it have on how retailers communicate with their customers? - George Anderson - Moderator