GB2211786A

GB2211786A - Redeemable voucher

Info

Publication number: GB2211786A
Application number: GB8725708A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adrian Rhodes; Neil Henderson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-11-03
Filing date: 1987-11-03
Publication date: 1989-07-12
Also published as: GB8725708D0

Abstract

A voucher to be redeemed by a purchaser at a store against a purchase at the store includes a bar code which is readable at the cash till and is pre-programmed to reward the purchaser with money or moneysworth. <IMAGE>

Description

REDEEMABLE VOUCHER OR THE LIKE The invention relates to a voucher, coupon or the like, to be redeemed by a purchaser at a store and intended to build loyalty in the purchaser to the store.

It is known to locate a machine readable bar code on an item to be sold, typically by printing the code on the packaging. At a checkout a cashier will use a device to read the code and in this way the machine can identify the item, its price and the like.

and the information generated can be used by the store to monitor the rate of sale of specific items, eg. for stock replenishment.

It is also known to supply, eg. by house-to-house distribution, vouchers which are redeemable at a store against the price of a specific item to give a discount and so encourage the purchase of that item. This invention is based on the appreciation that a bar code printed on a voucher can be used to build loyalty in the purchaser to a place of sale.

In one aspect, the invention provides a voucher to be redeemed by a purchaser at a store against a purchase at that store, there being printed on the voucher - the identity of the store or of a specific item which must be purchased for the voucher to be redeemable - a barcode which is readable by a machine but not intelligible to the purchaser, the code being preprogrammed to award the purchaser money or moneysworth when the voucher is redeemed at that store.

In another aspect the invention provides a cash till for use at a store including bar code reading means and arranged to display the value of the money or moneysworth against a redeemed voucher.

The invention is illustrated by the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of two different vouchers, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of a cash till showing use of a voucher.

Figure 3 is a plan view of a till read-out legend.

The vouchers of Figures 1 to 3 each comprise a piece of paper on which information eg. advertising matter is printed. Each voucher has a bar code printed thereon which is programmed to allot a discount or prize to the person encashing the voucher.

The precise value of the voucher can only be read by a suitable machine. Figure 1 (a) shows a voucher relating to a specific

item, eg. a can of soup made by Campbellstsoups. Figure 1(b) shows the same idea but identified with a retail store, in this

case a new TescoZ store, and while it promises a discount of at least 50p, in fact the voucher could be worth much more; until the voucher holder encashes it at the Tesco stores, she will not know the measure of her luck.

When the voucher is read at a till having a bar code reading device, the machine will display the value of a voucher. As shown in Figure 2, the till can be arranged to display a win perhaps even the bell can give an enhanced noise. Figure 3 shows alternative legends which might be printed on a till receipt according to the size of the win.

The element of mystery with the chance of a large discount or cash win will attract purchasers to a store or a specific product. The vouchers can be distributed in known ways, eg.

house to house distribution.

The invention is not limited to the features shown. For example, the voucher may be valid for specific times when the store is otherwise less busy; it may bear items specific to a season; it may require the purchaser to identify his address or other information useful as marketing intelligence.

Claims

1. A voucher to be redeemed by a purchaser at a store against a purchase at that store, there being printed on the voucher - the identity of the store or of a specific item which must be purchased for the voucher to be redeemable - a barcode which is readable by a machine but unintelligible to the purchaser, the code being preprogrammed to award the purchaser money or moneysworth when the voucher is redeemed at that store.

2. A voucher according to Claim 1, wherein the voucher is printed with information indicating the period when the voucher may be used at the store.

3. A voucher according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the voucher is printed with a question or questions requiring information to be completed by the purchasers.

4. A cash till for use at a store including bar code reading means and arranged to display the value of the money or moneysworth against a redeemed voucher.

5. A voucher to be redeemed by a purchaser at a store, substantially as described and with reference to the drawings.