Coupons.com has found a way to aggregate coupons allowing consumers to carry the discounts with them wherever they go. On Monday, the company will launch an application for Apple iOS devices that
combines coupon codes, digital grocery coupons, in-store coupons, Apple Passbook offers and local deals. The free app, available at iTunes, rolls out with Bath & Body Works, JCPenney,
Macy’s, The Home Depot, and J. Crew.
It aggregates thousands of coupon codes and local offers from national and local retailers such as dry cleaners and tree specialists. The company
hopes aggregating the coupons will entice consumers to use the discounts, save money and come back for more.
While the smartphone continues to become the tool to access product recommendations
and information while shopping in stores, a recent Deloitte study suggests that only 19% will use the tool to personalize in-store coupons and offers during the holiday season.
Most
consumers think mobile apps are cumbersome and ineffective in finding the best deals. Coupons and promotions will play an important role in influencing holiday spending more so among higher-income
households. In fact, 79% of those with an annual salary of $100,000+ will rely on discounts this holiday season, according to Deloitte's 2013 Annual Holiday Survey.
The Coupons iOS app will
allow consumers to tap an offer to save automatically, or drag and drop the code to apply the savings during the online checkout process. Consumers who are shopping in stores need to show the coupon
on their mobile device in the physical store to redeem the discounts at checkout, like 25% off one item at Harry & David; or 20% off at Macy's orders, along with free shipping on orders of $75 or
more.
The latest version also allows consumers to save coupons, such as 25% off a $40 purchase at OshKosh B'gosh, directly to Apple Passbook. Each Passbook coupon features a scannable barcode
and instructions for cashiers on how to process the coupon, including a numeric code they can manually type into the cash register if the barcode is not scanning automatically.