Danish co-op pioneers with innovative mobile payment app

Co-operatives throughout Europe have been providing customers with new ways to pay, championing retail innovation and transforming the landscape with technology. COOP Danmark – the largest retailer of...

Co-operatives throughout Europe have been providing customers with new ways to pay, championing retail innovation and transforming the landscape with technology.

COOP Danmark – the largest retailer of consumer goods in Denmark – is to roll out a new Beep and Pay mobile payment app across all its stores next month. The initiative allows customers to scan items into their basket and pay at the till via their device which is linked to their dividend, bonus wallet or credit/debit card.

The app enables point-of-sale integration, customer bonus point calculations and targeted promotional activity. It was piloted in May this year, resulting in 10% of the purchases in the test stores coming from the Beep and Pay app.

“Initially the brand advised a rollout to all stores from 2017,” said Mel Taylor, CEO of Omnico, the software company behind the app, “but due to the success of the pilot to date and our strong working-relationship with COOP, we have successfully rolled out the software to go live as of 1 October 2016.”

A new extension to the app is the integration with the COOP Danmark’s loyalty scheme, with targeted promotions delivered straight to the customer. Additional bonus points are calculated in real-time, which allows customers to buy more immediately, as opposed to having to wait until month-end to receive vouchers.

Mr Taylor added: “The promotional aspect of the COOP app is creating a loyal and engaged customer-base for COOP Denmark, one that is rewarded with targeted and personalised bonuses.

Co-ops throughout Europe are making it easier for their customers to pay

“Customers no longer want to rummage for cards to pay, or keep paper coupons remembering to use them at the till. They require fast, convenient and efficient omni-channel retailing options.”

Bjorn Langhorn Lundt, head of procurement at COOP Danmark, said the company was “pleased to roll out this app and loyalty bonus scheme to our customers” as it celebrates 150 years since it launched in Denmark.

COOP Danmark and the subsidiaries have an annual turnover of approximately DKK 50 billion (£5.7 billion), and in total more than  36,000 employees.

At the same time, Waitrose – part of the employee-owned John Lewis Partnership – has been pioneering innovative forms of payment by opening its first cashless store.

Quoting quicker transactions, the British supermarket only accepts payment by either card or through smartphones at self-checkouts its Osterly store. It is the first in the UK to do so.

Waitrose convenience director Jackie Wharton said :“Our convenience model is now more flexible than ever, especially as payment methods and ranges continue to evolve, so we’ll look forward to exploring other opportunities like this in the future.”

 

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