Tokyo, October 1, 2014 - Rakuten, Inc. today announced the launch of the R-Point Card service, an offline extension of its Rakuten Super Points loyalty points program, allowing members to use their Rakuten Super Points in actual stores throughout Japan.
Until now, Rakuten Super Points could be earned and used at some 42,000 stores on the Rakuten Ichiba online shopping mall, as well as on the various services offered by Rakuten Group. Super Points could also be earned in brick-and-mortar stores using the Rakuten Card credit card, in transactions using Rakuten Edy e-money, or via the Rakuten Check app, which rewards users with Super Points for visiting stores.
The new R-Point Card service launched today further expands on the online-to-offline concept, allowing members to earn Super Points by displaying their R-Point Card at stores. At the time of the launch, 12 companies and organizations are affiliated with the service. The service will be available at approximately 12,600 stores*1 nationwide. In addition, the service will also allow members to use their Super Points to make payments at a number of these stores, and Super Points earned with the R-Point Card can also be used on Rakuten Ichiba and other Rakuten Group services.
With certain affiliated companies*2, additional Rakuten Super Points can be earned by paying with a Rakuten Card or Rakuten Edy*3. Rakuten is also now offering a combined Rakuten Edy and R-Point Card, the Edy-R Point Card*4.
Rakuten will offer a free R-Point Card app for iOS and Android™ which can display the membership card barcode to allow members to use their R-Point Card via their smartphone, rather than having to carry their card (pending app approval). Rakuten is also planning to offer the R-Point Card service to individual retailers using point-of-sale terminals next spring.
*1. Please note that at the start of the service, there are some stores where the R-Point Card cannot be used, however, it will become possible to use the R-Point Card at these stores in the future.
*2. Affiliated retailers: Circle K Sunkus, Poplar, Daimaru Matsuzakaya (Rakuten Card only), Mister Donuts (Rakuten Edy only at certain stores), Pronto, Palette Plaza and 55 Station (Rakuten Card only at certain stores), Musee Platinum (Rakuten Card only at certain stores), Arisan Mark no Hikkoshiya (Rakuten Card only), Hikkoshi wa Nittsu (Rakuten Card only), Kushiro Shopping District
*3. By displaying the R-Point Card when making a purchase, members earn 1 Point for every 100 yen spent. When paying with Rakuten Card, an additional 1 point can be earned for every 100 yen, and when paying with Rakuten Edy, an additional 1 Point can be earned for every 200 yen.
*4. For further information on the Edy-R Point Card: https://item.rakuten.co.jp/edyshop/edy-rpoint_red/