In time for the holiday season, mobile commerce startup
shopkick has partnered with Target to bring its location-based shopping system to 242 of the retailer's
stores nationwide. The shopkick app for the iPhone lets users automatically receive points known as "kickbucks" on entering a Target store that can be redeemed at checkout for rewards like Target
GiftCards, music downloads or charitable donations.
People also can scan certain product barcodes in-store to earn additional kickbucks on everything from food and cleaning supplies to
specialty products like electronics and toys. Because shopkick provides rewards for scanning Kraft Foods and Procter & Gamble products, users can get discounts on their items as well.
Launched this summer, Shopkick has already teamed with a string of major retailers including Best Buy, American Eagle Outfitters and Macy's. But Target is the first with a mobile coupon scanning
system in place, allowing shopkick users to scan the app at check-out to redeem points for Target instant gift cards.
Shopkick will roll out first in a test phase at Target stores in
the Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York City, and the San Francisco/Silicon Valley markets. The chain operates 1,752 stores overall nationwide. More
retailers are expected to announce deals with shopkick as holiday buying heats up.