Mobile Coupons Ring Up Savings March 23, 2010
Mobile Coupons for Mobile Handsets
Mega-retailer Target has taken the lead in innovation when it comes to new ways to get coupons in the hands of their loyal customers. Target has become the first major retailer to offer mobile coupons that go straight to the shopper’s mobile handset.
Shoppers interested in getting the mobile coupons must “opt in” and register on Target’s Web site. They can also text the word “COUPONS” to 827438. Once registered, consumers get text messages on their phones directing them to a web page featuring multiple coupons. You must have a phone with a mobile browser along with a data plan for accessing the internet in order to properly view the coupons.
Once consumers are registered they will get text messages on their phones with links to a Web page that features various coupons. The program works with any phone that has a mobile browser and data plan for Internet use, the company said.
The coupons come complete with a bar-code visible on your mobile device’s screen and you simply show it to the person at checkout to apply the discounts to your purchases.
Other large retailers are making news with plans to follow in Target’s footsteps. J.C. Penny is already testing similar coupons in several Houston stores. And there are already many coupon sites and coupon applications for mobile devices like the iPhone. Google, Coupons.com, Coupon Sherpa, Yowza, and Cellfire are a few examples.
