Rakuten Smartphone App Payment Service “Rakuten Pay” to be made available at MINISTOP Stores Nationwide

Tokyo, December 3, 2018 – Rakuten, Inc. today announced that the smartphone app payment service “Rakuten Pay” will be made available at all MINISTOP convenience stores in Japan (2,225 stores^*1) operated by MINISTOP Co., Ltd., from Monday December 17, 2018.  

The Rakuten Pay smartphone app allows Rakuten members to easily link the credit cards registered on their Rakuten account to make payments via the app. The service offers three payment methods: the “QR scan” method in which the user scans a QR code using their smartphone; the “Code display” method in which a shop assistant scans a barcode or QR code displayed on users’ smartphone; and the “Self” method in which the user selects the shop to which they wish to make a payment to and enters the amount to pay.

The payment method to be offered at MINISTOP convenience stores is the “Code display” payment method. At the register, users will be able to complete their payment simply by presenting the barcode displayed on the Rakuten Pay smartphone app to be scanned by a MINISTOP shop assistant. Through the app, users can also earn and use Rakuten Super Points, the loyalty points program operated by the Rakuten Group, which has been rated number one for overall user satisfaction among point programs^*2 in Japan. Additionally, if users register their Rakuten Card as their default credit card for payments, they can also earn points when using the Rakuten Pay app (1 point for every 200 yen spent) and Rakuten Card (1 point for every 100 yen spent)^*3.  

MINISTOP has been working in cooperation with Rakuten Group since August 2008, when the convenience store chain adopted “Rakuten Edy” e-money. In November 2015, the retail chain also introduced a pick-up point service that allows customers of the Rakuten Ichiba internet shopping mall to pick up their orders from MINISTOP stores. By introducing “Rakuten Pay” at MINISTOP stores, the two companies aim to offer MINISTOP customers and Rakuten members in Japan a more convenient payment experience.

Rakuten will continue to work to improve its services in the future and expand the number of locations where Rakuten Pay and Rakuten Super Points can be used in order to offer users  convenient and accessible options for cashless payments.

*1 As of the end of October 2018
*2 Source: “Survey on Points Systems.” Valid responses: 1,000. Online survey conducted by MyVoice Communications, Inc. in November 2017.
*3 All spending amounts for earning points are inclusive of tax.

Service start date: December 17, 2018
Overview: Rakuten’s smartphone app payment service “Rakuten Pay” will become available at all MINISTOP stores (2,225 stores) nationwide. At the register, users will be able to complete payment simply by presenting the barcode displayed on their smartphone to be scanned by a shop assistant. Using the Rakuten Pay service enables users to earn and use Rakuten Super Points. If users of the service set the Rakuten Card as their default credit card for payments, they can earn both points for Rakuten Pay (1 point for every 200 yen spent) and Rakuten Card (1 point for every 100 yen spent).

About MINISTOP
MINISTOP, an AEON Group member, is a company that operates convenience stores, and its stores are present in 27 prefectures. Since its foundation in 1980, MINISTOP has successfully differentiated itself from its competitors by establishing a unique service style, which combines a convenience store and in-store processed fast-food services. MINISTOP’s cold desserts, which use seasonal ingredients and incorporate trendy styles such as soft-serve ice cream, Halohalo, and parfait are popular among many customers.   
https://www.ministop.co.jp

About Rakuten Pay
Rakuten Pay is a payment service that allows users to make quick payments via a smartphone app by registering a credit card with their Rakuten Pay account. When shopping at eligible stores, users are able to make payments by scanning QR codes displayed on a tablet device in the store or scanning a printed QR code with their smartphone. Users of the Rakuten Pay service can earn Rakuten Super Points and use the points for making payments. Rakuten Pay is the largest QR code payment service in Japan by the number of users*.
*“Survey on Actual Use of QR Code Payment Services.” Valid responses: 1,200. Online survey conducted for Rakuten by INTAGE Inc. in January 2018.