The chief executive of Longitude Finance Michael Monari, (left) and
M-Zawadi CEO Mr Naftal Obwoni during the launch of M-Zawadi at at Hotel
Laico on Wednesday, March 23, 2016. PHOTO | LILIAN OCHIENG
Small and medium enterprises earlier locked out of the loyalty
card systems can now use mobile based loyalties to reward customers.
This
follows the launch of mobile based loyalty platform ‘M-Zawadi.’ The
platform enables customers of barber shops, salons, movie shops among
others to receive and redeem loyalty points from any M-Zawadi registered
merchant with only a mobile number as a ‘card.’
A
product of a Kenyan firm M-Zawadi Holdings, the platform also allows
merchants to form cross industry partnerships offering customers variety
of options to redeem points at different outlets.
"Only
big brands are currently able to offer loyalty points to their
customers due to the prohibitive cost of entry for smaller businesses.
M-Zawadi aims to change that with an SME focused approach that lowers
the cost of rewarding and retaining your customers," says Mr Naftal
Obwoni, the chief executive officer of M-Zawadi.
EXPENSIVE
It
costs over Sh1,000 to roll out one card, this is considered expensive
for SMEs. M-Zawadi solves the challenge and opens up access to the SME
demystifying the notion that loyalty cards are meant for big businesses.
Majority
of stores that have loyalty cards are Uchumi Supermarket, Tuskys and
Nakumatt. M-Zawadi’ innovation is the first in the market, it also
allows sharing of loyalty points across users.
The
platform is available on mobile devices as an application, it can also
be accessed through USSD short code messaging on feature phones. It also
allows instant chatting between companies and customers.
The
platform poses major competition to card manufacturing companies such
as MasterCard and Visa Card who occupy the high end market. It however
targets even the lowest end of the retail business; groceries, barbers
and beauty shops.
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