UPS partners with retailers in launch of Groupon-like rewards program

UPS has launched the UPS My Choice Deals site offering retailers a platform to reach its more than 43 million UPS My Choice members with special deals and discounts. Introduced in 2011, the UPS My Choice service enables consumers to receive estimated arrival and progress alerts, sign for packages in advance, set vacation holds or change delivery addresses. Representing the first non-shipping perk for UPS My Choice members, the UPS My Choice Deals site lists more than 500 special offers ranging from shopping discounts to cash back on eligible purchases. Looking similar to Groupon, the site is filled with exclusive offers, hot new offers, go green deals and local deals as well as those sorted by category (Restaurants, Apparel & Accessories, Food, etc.). The most popular deals currently include $60 in savings for signing up for Costco membership, $19 off per Disneyland ticket and up to $250 off Samsung products at Walmart. UPS displays the deals for customers in banner ads attached to delivery notifications. Consumers can head to UPSMyChoiceDeals.com or access the deals site through their UPS My Choice login. Guests not logged in can use the deals site but won't have access to some deals or any cash-back offers The deal perks are designed to make both consumers and retailers more loyal users of UPS, as the service works to compete with FedEx and the ever-looming Amazon. "The UPS My Choice Deals site helps connect retailers and shoppers by providing a platform for great deals through a convenient member-exclusive marketplace," said Jerome Roberts, UPS's VP of global product innovation in a statement. "Retailers benefit from access to the UPS My Choice membership base, including loyal, savvy online shoppers and coveted new customers. It can be a great tool to drive engagement and sales." UPS has set up a pay-for-performance compensation model for retailers. UPS earns a commission on the deals for promoting the products and benefits when customers link deliveries to deal purchases. "If you are receiving something from Macy's, you'll have an additional deal from Macy's right there in your alert," Stu Marcus, UPS VP of customer technology marketing, told Reuters.

• UPS Connects Retailers And 43 Million Consumers Via The UPS My Choice Deals Site – UPS
• UPS My Choice Deals – UPS
• UPS Goes Groupon, Launching Discounts for Retailers – Reuters
• RETAIL UPS Rolls Out My Choice Deals Program – PYMNTS