Perth pilot for rewards scheme

Technology firm Miconex is to pilot its cardless rewards programme in Perth before targeting other towns and cities.

The “Mi Rewards” programme automatically rewards customers for spending money in businesses using their existing debit and credit cards. The scheme enables people to earn points for shopping, dining and going out.

No physical loyalty card is required – people simply register their existing debit and credit cards by logging into a website.

As consumers use their cards, their spend is tracked securely and automatically. Once they have earned sufficient points, they can convert them into gift cards and spend them with local participating businesses.

Miconex, which is based in Perth, is behind other successful schemes such as the Perth, Cardiff, Glasgow and Sheffield gift cards. It has been working with Perth & Kinross Council and local firms to develop the new Mi Rewards programme.

Colin Munro, managing director of Miconex, said: “As we work in towns and cities across the country we see how online shopping and out-oftown retail is impacting on the success of some high streets.

“We want the rewards programme to help bring back some prosperity and provide the tools needed for them to compete.

“Miconex has been working with UK towns and cities for eight years on a wide range of projects and I feel that this new technology really could bring some positive change to town centres up and down the country.”

Leigh Brown, city centre manager for Perth and chairwoman of the Association of Town and City Management, said: “We need to understand how and why people are using their towns.

“We will be able to communicate with consumers in a more sophisticated way. This will allow us to learn, plan and make improvements that develop the local economy.”