Advanced loyalty
Authenticateit, which is currently trading as Shping, uses traceability, serialisation and product authentication to create a new mobile shopping app called Shping.
Consumers can browse and shop by scanning a product’s barcode, writing reviews and uploading photos.
‘Shping points’ can be collected, “which transform ordinary product barcodes into meaningful, real-time rewards for consumers,” the brand stated in a recent press release.
By using the app and scanning the barcode of cosmetics, personal care items and other retail goods, rewards, known as points, can then be exchanged and redeemed for cash, gift cards, products and even used as charity donations.
In addition, the Shping app provides shoppers with information on products detailed on the app including where it comes from, what it is made of, and whether the product has been recalled.
Building conversation
The app also encourages users to earn points for uploading information about it, at times when specific product details are not uploaded onto the Shping app.
Consumer experiences relating to these items, along with “sharing lifehacks and product reviews” are presented on one central interface to help consumers accumulate reward points.
Tapping into the digital community, the app presents an ”interactive platform for consumers to engage directly with brands, also offering seamless integration with their social media channels,” said Gennady Volchek, CEO at Authenticateit, the company behind the Shping app.
“In an ever saturated retail market with an increased proliferation of online retailers and e-commerce sites, competition around pricing has never been more fierce, nor has the amount of choice available to consumers been greater,” Volchek emphasised.
In addition to earning rewards, Shping app users can also earn rewards for extra services relating to chosen products including authenticity checks, product recall notifications, verification of product recall status, warranty activation, receipt storage, social media integration, and product rating and feedback.
Consumer connections
“Considering 88%1 of Australians own at least one smartphone, we saw an enormous opportunity to introduce a next generation rewards programme, which addresses some of the limitations associated with the traditional, physical reward cards, and offer consumers an even more convenient and seamless way to earn points using their mobile phones,” added Volchek.
“Add to this the fact that more than a third of consumers (35%) are likely to conduct research on a product in-store, Shping also represents a huge untapped opportunity for brands to engage more effectively with consumers,” Volchek stated.
The new engagement programme
Shping app aims to help Australians and New Zealanders make more informed purchasing decisions and build brand engagement through its intuitive two-way communication platform.
Australia’s largest organic certifying group, Australian Organic (ACO), has also created a strategic partnership with AssureQuality, to enable consumers to “instantly validate organic product certification and food safety”.
“While we are extremely excited to announce the availability of the Shping app in ANZ, it is important for people to understand this isn’t simply just another customer loyalty programme,” Volchek went on to say.
Shping is promoting smart shopping: “We really wanted an app that challenges the status quo through marrying our background in product authentication and brand protection, with a truly optimised, information-rich mobile experience for consumers. We want people to know that it pays to shop smarter!” said Volchek.
1. Statistics have been sourced from the 3rd edition of Digital Australia: State of the Nation - July 2017.