More than 3 million registered users now use Vouchercloud, making it one of the biggest voucher codes and deals apps in South Africa. By Gugu Lourie
Vouchercloud is a geo-location enabled product that seeks out the best local deals, displays them via the mobile phone, and allows users to redeem either digital or printed vouchers at participating retailers.
Ashraff Paruk, managing executive of Digital Services at Vodacom, told Techfinancials.co.za that the Vodacom’s location-based deals app now has about 3 million registered users in South Africa across all its various channels – web and app.
Some of the brands listed on the Vouchercloud offering discount voucher codes and deals includes Puma, Nike, Levis, Plum Footwear, Converse All Stars, Guess, Soviet, Jimmy’s Killer Prawns, Groupon, Mr Price, SAA, Tristar, Travelstart, Homechoice and Zando, etc.
Vouchercloud is not exclusive to Vodacom customers. The product is accessible to everyone in South Africa who has a cellphone, irrespective of network or service provider.
Paruk said Vodacom was happy with the performance of Vouchercloud app in South Africa.
“Although we are continuously looking at improving the service and offerings, the existing performance is in line with our initial expectations,” he said.
More and more, online shoppers are seeking that elusive giveaway, that’s going to save cash in these tough economic times of high interest rates and unstable petrol prices, even higher costs of buying data from mobile phone operators.
Vouchercloud seems to have found the formula to entice more customers on its platform.
Paruk said more that 1,5 million users have specifically downloaded the Vouchercloud app.
He added that about 2,5 million unique visitors access the Vouchercloud website..
The app is free and available on iTunes, Blackberry App World and Google Play. There is no monthly subscription fee for consumers to use Vouchercloud.
The app has provided more than 3 million redemptions since its launch.
Asked whether Vodacom was planning to extend the availability of the app to its Africa operations, Parkuk said: “There are currently no firm plans to roll out the service to other operations.”
Previously, one of the most taxing tasks for buyers was buying groceries and waiting in long queues for their turn to make payments. Currently UK and Australia are the most rapidly growing markets for online grocery shopping. Budding markets like Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Africa are also catching up with this trend.
Last November, FNB leveraged its partnerships with various retailers allowing it to offer electronic vouchers on the FNB Banking App.
Electronic Vouchers available on the FNB App include Makro, Nu Metro, Ster Kinekor, Supa Quick, iTunes and Mr Price, with more partners being added to the platform soon.
All purchased vouchers are stored within the FNB App, and can be redeemed in store simply by presenting the voucher code to the cashier at the point of purchase.
Discounted vouchers from selected retailers will also be available on the FNB Banking App. Discounted vouchers unlock great value to eBucks customers, delivering up to 40% in savings when paying with eBucks.
In February SnapnSave, the free mobile and web app that provides shoppers with a unique and easy way to make their hard earned Rands go further, entered the South African market.
According to a recent study, 13% of smartphone users in South Africa have already used a mobile coupon, with this number estimated to grow to 50% in the next two years.
While last year March, International Coupons Group – which operates in Poland, Norway and Turkey – announced the launch of a new site on the South Africa’s market. Picodi.co.za already provide South African online shoppers with free online promotions and vouchers to help them save money when shopping online.
Clearly, this is a competitive and contestable market.
