Best Buy launches mobile rewards app

MINNEAPOLIS Best Buy has announced it plans to bring a location-based retail experiment, using the “shopkick” mobile application rewards system, to 257 U.S. stores by Oct. 1.

Beginning Aug. 17, shoppers can download the free shopkick application to their smart phone. Customers who have the app open when they enter a participating Best Buy store with shopkick signal technology installed will receive instant rewards, or "kickbucks," that can be redeemed in the store or converted into Best Buy certificates through a user’s shopkick account.

Additionally, Best Buy said it has integrated shopkick directly into its point of sale system to streamline the redemption of special in-store offers and/or added bonuses for scanning barcodes of specific products, all of which will be sent to the user’s phone. Customers may walk up to the cashier, provide the mobile phone number connected to their shopkick account, and any applicable personalized discounts immediately appear on their receipt.

“We think consumers have more opportunities than ever to bridge their digital and physical shopping experiences, particularly through smart phones and mobile technology,” said Matthew Smith, VP marketing services, Best Buy. “We intend to explore ways we can use the power of location-based technology to personalize a Best Buy shopping experience, from check-in to check-out, with rewards and offers delivered right on a customer’s smart phone.”