Korean online-to-offline (O2O) service company 12cm has started offering its smart-stamp service at Japanese convenience store franchise chain FamilyMart.
The 12cm service uses a stamp-type system designed for smartphone touchscreens to connect mobile coupons, tokens and gift cards with offline stores, as well as run promotional events. It “stamps” a coupon into the smartphones of consumers who buy promotional items through the FamilyMart mobile app, as well as reward coupons. It is being used as a marketing strategy to boost consumer loyalty to offline stores.
Using a cloud platform and touch-screen recognition technology, the smart stamp is easy to use with a simple interface. A major advantage of the system is its potential for expansion into a wide range of business areas.
Launched in 2013, 12cm has worked on projects with such organisations as Ticket Monster and the Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO). Its system has attracted 7.2 billion won (US$ 6.2 million) in investments from several financial institutions.
In 2015, 12cm established a subsidiary in Japan with 100 million yen (US$979,960) in capital, as well as a joint corporation with several Taiwanese companies.
