Tokyo, March 5, 2013 - Rakuten, Inc. (“Rakuten”) today announced it will launch a new universal point card called “R-Point Card,” and pilot the usage of Rakuten Super Points in physical retail outlets starting in spring 2013. This initiative is part of the Rakuten Super Points loyalty reward program.
Rakuten Group already offers redemption and charging of Rakuten Super Points on sums transacted at stores using Rakuten Edy e-money, and the Rakuten Card credit card. However, the R-Point Card means that Rakuten can now extend its Rakuten Super Points to include physical stores, especially retail outlets.
Specifically, this allows customers to collect or pay with Rakuten Super Points at the POS terminal of the companies participating in the points program’s outlets, and through barcodes and other data stored on the R-Point Card. In addition, as an internet-based universal points program, participating companies reap the following benefits:
- Drives new customers, since Rakuten Super Points – offered online to 81 million Rakuten members – are calculated automatically, making them easy to earn and redeem
- Boosts exposure of your business and attracts new customers via Rakuten Group media channels
- Can be integrated with your own points program, or those of others
- Uses existing magnetic card and barcode systems, so no investment in new hardware is required where POS cash register is used
- Lowest service fees in the industry
Rakuten is committed to continually providing an effective points program that makes shopping fun for users, and leads to business growth for participating stores.
(*) What are Rakuten Super Points?
A service offered by Rakuten Group through Rakuten Ichiba, Rakuten Travel, etc. Users can redeem 1% of their purchase amount as points, and apply their points for purchases at the rate of one yen per point. It allows redemption and the use of points in a range of daily situations, with features such as how 1% of any payment on a Rakuten Card can be returned in points, and the free exchange of points with around 50 other programs.