Self service set to boost gift card sales
Published: 22 February, 2012
SCL and SSN have set their sights on Europe following success with US mall operators
Stanton Consultancy, the global foreign exchange and prepaid automation specialist, and Self-Service Networks, a leading provider of turnkey self-service kiosk, web and mobile solutions, are planning to transform European gifting with the introduction of fully integrated, self-service gift card kiosks.
The move follows over 100 successful USA deployments of SCL’s UltraPoS processing and management software with SSN’s GiftWise kiosks, in major shopping centres for customers including Westfield and General Growth Properties.
The integrated solution extends choice for consumers giving them an easy, quick and convenient way to securely purchase gift cards from kiosks located at strategic sales locations within the mall. At the same time it enables shopping centre owners to boost their revenue by complementing existing gift card sales with additional high visibility sales channels without incurring additional staff costs.
And because the kiosks utilise the UltraPoS software platform they can be fully integrated with its traditional PoS based gift card platform to offer real-time monitoring, reporting and metrics to create a total multi-channel solution.
SCL managing director Ray Stanton said: “Working in partnership, SCL and SNN have not only created an additional low-cost and secure sales channel for large and busy malls but also a viable way to open up new sales opportunities within smaller malls, retailers and satellite locations that currently lack a formal concierge desk or the staff to sell gift cards.
“With the GiftWise solution, gifting can even be taken beyond the mall – to commercial buildings, stations and entertainment venues – to extend sales even further. Already popular with our existing US customers, we see no reason why the same solution cannot be applied in Europe where retail self-service applications are gaining ground.”
Rick Wessels, executive vice president for SSN, added: “Partnering with SCL and integrating with UltraPoS is a significant step for Self-Service Networks. SCL has strong relationships with many of the world’s leading prepaid card organisations and a particular strength within the shopping centre industry where our GiftWise kiosks have already been a big success.
“We look forward to continuing our US roll-out with them. Looking to the future, we hope to work on new opportunities to bring this integrated solution to Europe where gift cards sales remain buoyant even in the face of the tough economic climate.”
