USA Technologies dispenses loyalty from vending machines
USA Technologies Inc. bills itself as a service provider for "small-ticket, self-serve retailing industries." That means vending machines. And now the company will be offering consumers something else to go with their sodas and candy: rewards for their loyalty.
USAT has announced that it will launch a new mobile payment program for vending machines that will tie loyalty and rewards programs to purchases. This is a new option for the vending machine industry, given that most vending has been cash-based in the past.
USAT's new program will pair the company's installed base of more than 100,000 NFC-enabled cashless payment terminals with the mobile wallet technology of Isis, the U.S. mobile payment joint venture of AT&T Mobility, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile. The Isis technology will power the payments as well as let customers redeem offers and rewards.
USAT and Isis have been working together in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Austin, Texas, where Isis is running a pilot launch for its mobile wallet.
"After USAT's successful pilot with Isis in Salt Lake City and Austin, we are extremely excited to expand via the addition of a loyalty program," said Stephen P. Herbert Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of USA Technologies. "In our view, the USAT mobile payment and upcoming loyalty program is yet another way for operators to optimize their cashless payment platform as a tool for driving top line growth."
Herbert called the loyalty program a win-win for vending machine deployers and customers, since it will deliver more value to consumers and make the vending experience more fun.
"Loyalty programs that allow consumers to be rewarded for repeat purchases are essentially uncharted territory for the vending industry," said Jim Stapleton, chief sales officer for Isis. "Connecting these businesses with their consumer creates a whole new marketing paradigm for the industry "It's an exciting time for this market sector and we are looking forward to working with USAT in making this a success for everyone involved."
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