TOKYO, June 18, 2013 –Rakuten Inc. (JASDAQ: 4755) today announced that it lowered the transaction fee of the Rakuten Smartpay service for credit card transactions on smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices to 3.24% The new rate goes into effect from today.
■Our new, lower transaction fee of 3.24%
Rakuten Smartpay is a credit card transaction service for use on smartphones that was started on December 6, 2012. In light of steady growth among the user base since its launch, Rakuten is now lowering the transaction fee to 3.24% in order to make the service even easier to introduce for small- to medium-sized businesses owners.
■Initial fees to be waived
Rakuten is also running a campaign until the end of July that will effectively refund the initial fee (normally 2,980 yen) for setting up the service if users open and designate a Rakuten Bank account for payments and process a transaction of 1,000 yen or more.
■Services for Rakuten Smartpay affiliates
Rakuten Smartpay was created to address demand of the self-employed and small- to medium-sized business owners that they were putting off signing contracts with credit card companies due to high initial charges and other fees. The service is currently gaining popularity among both businesses that do not participate in other Rakuten services as well as merchants and lodging facilities that operate brick-and-mortar stores while also being registered with Rakuten Ichiba, Rakuten Travel, Rakuten Dining, or other services. Users include those in the food and beverage, delivery and fashion industries.
In an effort to encourage more Rakuten members to visit Rakuten Smartpay affiliate stores, from Wednesday June 26 to the end of July, Rakuten will be running a campaign offering double the usual amount of Rakuten Super Points (2 points per 100 yen spent) to customers making purchases with a Rakuten Card at Rakuten Smartpay affiliates.
The Rakuten Group will continue to combine the services of the Rakuten Ecosystem in such a way as to offer greater added value to its customers.