McDonald's Japan has started an innovative new Contactless Coupon loyalty and payment program that has been under development for nearly a year. The program started with 175 stores and will expand gradually to all of Japan's 3,800 stores by 2009.
The mechanism utilizes Felica RFID technology found in Japanese phones to allow customers to choose their meals, redeem coupons, and pay with their mobile phones. While this is not the first RFID system, the McDonald's program is the first with such a broad selection and stores.
In order to use it, customers must download an application to their phones and register via mobile web. Transaction can then be performed by placing the phone near the RFID reader at the register.
McDonalds by Mobile
Japan's RFID Contactless Coupon Program
Trend Themes
1. Contactless Payment - Expanding the use of contactless payment in various industries can help reduce the need for physical cash transactions.
2. Mobile Loyalty Programs - Implementing mobile loyalty programs can enhance customer experiences and increase customer retention in the food and beverage industry.
3. RFID Technology - The use of RFID technology can result in efficient and seamless transactions in many different industries.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage - The food and beverage industry can implement mobile loyalty programs and contactless payment options to enhance customer experiences and attract tech-savvy customers.
2. Retail - Retailers can explore the use of RFID technology to create seamless transactions and improve inventory management.
3. Transportation - The transportation industry can benefit from contactless payment, making ticket purchases faster and more efficient.