15.09.10

Ringier launches “Vanilla.ch”: cashless payment by cell phone

Zürich: Das Medienhaus Ringier setzt den Ausbau seiner Internet-Aktivitäten fort und lanciert Vanilla.ch, eine innovative und ausgeklügelte Verkaufsförderungsplattform, die Bezahlen an der Kasse mit dem Handy oder der Vanilla MasterCard® Kreditkarte ermöglicht. Das Smartphone zeigt dank Geo-Tracking gar, wo in unmittelbarer Nähe die interessantesten Spezialangebote sind.

Consumers are increasingly using the Internet to find out the best offer before making a purchase. At the same time, mobile Internet is being used more and more with smartphones. Vanilla.ch picks up on these two trends and implements them in a new and innovative way.

Consumers register on the Vanilla.ch website or obtain the free application (app) designed for the iPhone directly. A corresponding app for other smartphones will follow shortly. The application offers the option of opting for either the free standard package (mobile payment) or the fee-based premium package (CHF 100, with Vanilla MasterCard® credit card and mobile payment). After a legally required credit check, the cell phone will be activated for mobile payment.

With the help of the geo-tracking function of smartphones, consumers can see directly on their cell phones where they can find the offers they want or are looking for in their vicinity. Or where special cost reductions are currently on offer. Payment is made at the checkout with a barcode that is transmitted directly to the cell phone and transferred from the respective checkout system to Vanilla, or with the Vanilla MasterCard® credit card. For every transaction carried out via Vanilla, the customer collects points that can be redeemed at the rewards store. The rewards store currently offers more than 25,000 items. Premium customers can even collect points worldwide.

Those who become premium members also benefit: a comprehensive welcome package contains coupons from affiliated retailers worth around 500 francs – and from a certain turnover, customers also benefit from exceptional offers that are rarely available in stores. With Vanilla.ch, suppliers in turn benefit from an unrivaled sales promotion platform that can be updated and measured in real time. More than 10 partners are currently signed up to Vanilla, such as retailers Spar, Mobilezone, Steg, Scout 24, Die Post (mobile payment only), Europapark and many more. New partners are constantly being added.

Ringier is launching Vanilla.ch as part of its strategic thrust to expand its Internet activities in the area of transaction-based platforms. Vanilla.ch is being realized in collaboration with GE Money Bank AG and MF Group AG.

Corporate Communications Ringier Switzerland

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