Member Article

‘Norwich Points’ launched to encourage local trade

Independent merchants in Norwich have received a major boost today from a new initiative that allows shoppers to benefit from spending their money locally.

Mobile payment and loyalty app Droplet has teamed up with more than 100 retailers in the City to launch ‘Norwich Points’ - an umbrella loyalty scheme that will give users points every time they make a purchase using their phone.

These can then be converted for ‘Droplet’ cash or special offers that can be redeemed in shops, bars, cafes and venues.

This latest move is part of the firm’s efforts to give independents the opportunity to compete with the larger chains and comes only three months after it expanded its app to include a Rewards platform for merchants.

“We’ve had 3000 local users sign up to Droplet Rewards already so that shows there is an appetite from consumers to buy local if they are earning something back in return,” explained Steffan Aquarone, Co-Founder of Droplet.

“This made us think. Why not broaden the offer so that instead of just collecting virtual stamps for one venue, users can also earn points for the umbrella scheme that covers all of our merchants at the same time?”

He continued: “They will then have the opportunity to convert their Norwich Points for cash that can be spent at any Droplet-backed outlet, or better still receive special offers that could include discounted tickets, meal deals or priority evenings.

“The merchants benefit, the user benefits and, in turn, more money will be kept in the local economy, and we know from countless studies how this is the key to creating new jobs in the city.”

Norwich continues to be one of Droplet’s biggest success stories, with nearly 250 merchants benefitting from the world’s only fee-free transaction system.

It has recently formed a partnership with the Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) to expand Rewards further across the city – giving customers even more places where they can be rewarded for spending locally.

The thriving independent scene has been fuelling this growth and nearly 14,000 payments have been taken by simply tapping a button on your iPhone or Android.

This equates to more than £200,000 in trade and this figure is expected to double once the ‘Rewards’ platform and ‘Norwich Points’ start to gather pace.

Jonathan Crinnion, Manager of fast-growing contemporary restaurant Maddermarket Kitchen, said:

“The new loyalty scheme set up through Droplet has attracted new customers that had previously not eaten with us and better still they have now become regular visitors.

“Unlike other Apps that have approached us, Droplet has a very human approach and it is fast proving a great company to be associated with. What it’s doing to help independent shops grow is really being noticed and we are delighted to be part of the movement.”

Kayleigh Jowers of The Dandy House, a Custom Bicycle Shop and Café in the heart of Norwich, is also a keen supporter of Droplet.

“From our point of view, it’s really good for cyclists who don’t carry cash or cards on them but always carry a phone.

“The inbuilt Loyalty card is great and works really well for us. With our paper loyalty cards our customers forget them on a daily basis, so this solves this problem and is actually more eco friendly. Our regulars also love the ZeroTouch® payments that make ordering so simple and quick.

“There’s a community feel about Droplet in Norwich, everyone seems to have heard of it and knows the firm’s Ambassadors.”

In total, the company boasts 25% of the eligible independent merchants in Norwich…just three months after launching the latest version of its app.

Other merchants currently signed up to ‘Droplet Rewards’, include ABC Taxis, who are offering a free Vue cinema ticket for every 15 stamps, and Adnams’ Unthank Road Store where you can get a free beer with just 5 stamps.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Russ Cockburn .