Month: March 2018

Leading quick-service restaurant chain

Posted on by shopkickmain

Driving visits and sales to QSR without coupons or discounts

Campaign Goals

To further take advantage of their usual spike during the holiday season, a leading quick-service restaurant (QSR) chain partnered with Shopkick to increase foot traffic to and sales in 600 enclosed mall locations nationwide between Thanksgiving and New Year. Drawn by the fact that Shopkick users spend 215% more at QSRs than the average shopper* (Visa Decision Sciences), this QSR chain saw the Shopkick platform as a means of driving measurable impact without sacrificing their bottom line as traditional promotions like coupons or discounts do.

Shopkick Solution

Shopkick engaged users with a combination of relevant content and usable rewards at various touchpoints throughout their in-app experience to drive to store. First, users were exposed to informative, visually appealing content around the product offering – enticing users to stop by the nearest location on their next mall trip. Next, Shopkick deployed proximity-based messaging via pre-installed beacon hardware to pull users to the storefront for the opportunity to earn Kicks just for Walking-in and Purchasing. Lastly, to close the loop, Shopkick awarded users for their in-store actions – between 20-50 Kicks for Walking-in and 10-20 Kicks for every $1 Spent.  

Results

Shopkick drove significant visits and sales to this leading QSR’s mall locations. These small, but real-time Kick incentives resulted in a 70% increase in AOV and 1.8:1 ROI in 4-week flight. Due to this success, the initial pilot is now expanding to include additional locations.

1.8:1

ROI

70%

Increase in AOV

61%

Beacon PNS open rate

Details

Goals

Drive visits

Drive sales

Preserve margin

Intercept shoppers

Retailer Distribution

Mall locations

Products Used

Lookbook Promo Unit Beacons Walk-in Receipts

The top 5 money saving apps for college students

Posted on by Kick Writers

College life is a unique chapter filled with challenges, growth, and unforgettable experiences. For many, it’s also a crash course in budgeting, as navigating limited finances becomes part of the learning curve. Looking back on my own college years, I remember the tight-knit camaraderie in dorms, the hustle to make it to class on time, and the thrill of late-night study sessions at the library. But what stood out most was how resourceful we had to be when it came to saving money.

 

Today’s college students have a secret weapon I wish I had — money-saving apps. With a smartphone in hand, students can tap into tools designed to help them stretch their budgets and make smarter spending decisions. Whether it’s grabbing a meal, shopping for essentials, or finding free local events, these apps are game-changers for living well on a student budget. Let’s dive into the top five apps that every college student needs to know about.

 

Money Saving App #1: The University Network (TUN)

The University Network (TUN) is a dedicated platform designed with college students in mind. This app makes saving money feel effortless by connecting users to a treasure trove of student-exclusive discounts, textbook deals, and rewards for purchases. What sets TUN apart is its focus on the local community — it bridges the gap between students and nearby businesses offering special promotions.

 

In addition to helping students save on everyday expenses, TUN highlights free activities like concerts, cultural events, and sporting activities, ensuring students can enjoy college life without breaking the bank. For example, you might find discounted meals at a popular café or deals on school supplies at a nearby bookstore. It’s the ultimate tool for maximizing the value of student life while staying within budget.

 

Money Saving App #2: UNiDAYS

UNiDAYS has become the go-to platform for student discounts across fashion, food, tech, and more. By verifying your student status, you can instantly unlock thousands of exclusive deals from major brands like Apple, Adidas, and DoorDash.

 

The app goes beyond just promo codes — it regularly features limited-time offers, giveaways, and seasonal promotions tailored to student budgets. Whether you’re upgrading your laptop, grabbing takeout, or shopping for back-to-school clothes, UNiDAYS helps you keep costs down while enjoying big-name perks.

 

Money Saving App #3: Too Good To Go

Too Good To Go is perfect for students who want to save money and cut down on food waste. The app connects users with local restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores that sell their surplus meals at a fraction of the original price.

 

Instead of paying full price, you can grab a ‘Surprise Bag’ of perfectly good food for just a few dollars. It’s an adventurous (and budget-friendly) way to try new foods around campus while also supporting sustainability. Students love it for the thrill of the surprise and the savings it delivers.

 

Money Saving App #4: Epicurious

Epicurious is a fantastic app for college students looking to save money by cooking meals at home. With over 28,000 recipes at your fingertips, it’s easier than ever to transform what’s already in your pantry into delicious, budget-friendly dishes. The app allows users to search recipes based on specific criteria such as difficulty level, available ingredients, and dietary preferences.

 

Not only does Epicurious empower users to stretch their food budgets, but it also inspires creativity in the kitchen. Imagine whipping up a hearty pasta dish from scratch or preparing a quick stir-fry with minimal effort. By offering customizable recipe suggestions and step-by-step instructions, Epicurious makes cooking at home practical, economical, and enjoyable.

 

Money Saving App #5: Shopkick

Shopkick is the ultimate shopping companion for students and adults alike. This gamified app rewards users for everyday shopping activities, turning errands into opportunities to earn points. Whether you’re walking into a store, scanning barcodes, or making purchases, Shopkick transforms these actions into points that can be redeemed for gift cards to popular retailers.

What makes Shopkick truly unique is its interactive and social features. Students can treat the app as a scavenger hunt, competing with friends while racking up points. For college students, these gift cards can cover essentials like groceries, coffee, or even school supplies. And with so many redemption options, Shopkick adapts seamlessly to every lifestyle. It’s an easy, fun way to make shopping work for you.

Managing money as a college student doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With apps like TUN, UNiDAYS, Too Good To Go, Epicurious, and Shopkick, students can save on everything from meals to textbooks to entertainment. Each of these apps brings its own unique advantages, helping users maximize their budgets without compromising their lifestyle.


Of course, if there’s one app that stands out for students and adults alike, it’s Shopkick. With its interactive features and flexible gift card rewards, it’s an all-in-one tool that makes saving money simple and enjoyable. Don’t wait — download Shopkick today and start earning rewards for your everyday shopping. Plus, be sure to follow Shopkick on social media for more savings tips and inspiration!

Free grocery list apps with prices and rebates

Posted on by Kick Writers

When I was growing up, my mom had this fancy notepad mounted on the wall beside our old-school green refrigerator, just below the landline phone. (Remember those?) This notepad was where she kept the always-changing grocery list where she would write down anything she ran out of midweek and any ingredients she needed for a special recipe. My mother was—and still is—really conscientious. She plans everything and I seriously doubt she ever went shopping for groceries without one of these lists. Not once in her entire life.

best grocery list app with pricesTimes have, obviously, changed since then. For starters, my house doesn’t have a landline and we certainly don’t have a giant lime-green refrigerator. I also don’t have a notepad pinned to the wall. But, like my mother, I never go to the store without a list. I simply use my smartphone, specifically a grocery list app with prices, instead.

These sort of apps are great for several reasons. First, you have them with you wherever you take your phone, which, let’s face it, is everywhere these days. The second is that they make managing your budget easier because they feature prices for the items you buy. And that’s what I want to talk about today: the features that all good grocery list apps should have, and, of course, which free grocery list app with prices (and also rebates) is my all-time favorite!

The Must-Have Features for Every Grocery List App with Prices

Because there are a ton of different free grocery list apps with prices out there to choose from, it behooves shoppers like us to know which ones are the best, the easiest to use, and, of course, the most effective at creating extra space in our budgets!

Here are some of the features ideal free grocery list apps with prices should have:

  • Shows Prices and Saves Money: Obviously, any good grocery list app should have these two things. When you add an item to your list, you should be able to see how much it will cost; otherwise, you’re essentially just using a fancier version of a notepad. But, the best of these apps should have a means of saving you money, too, whether it’s through some sort of reward point system that ultimately gives you credit at your favorite stores or through online couponing. Either one works!
  • Search Function: The ability to search for various items is also key. Instead of wandering the aisles of your favorite local grocer in search of whatever you need, you open your app whenever you think of something you need, do a quick search, and add the item to your list. Some apps even let you order your list by area of the store—beauty and personal care, household supplies, frozen foods, for example—so you’re not doubling back all the time. I mean, we all need our exercise, but c’mon!
  • Popular Items Reminders: Even the most conscientious shopper out there (which I honestly think might be my mom) tends to forget items from time to time. That’s why it’s necessary to find a free grocery list app that can remind you of the most popular items that other shoppers are hunting for as well. Basically, it gives you a little nudge in case you happen to regularly forget things like toilet paper.

The Best Grocery List App with Prices

Now we get to the best part, the free grocery list app with prices and rebates that just so happens to be my very own personal favorite. It’s called Shopkick, and it has all three of the features I mentioned above, but it especially wins the rebates and money-saving category. In the big picture, Shopkick gives you points—called kicks—for things you already do, like buying products, scanning the barcodes on certain items for more info, and even just walking into some stores. Then, you can turn those points into gift cards to your favorite stores.

Shopkick also has a great shopping list app that you can use for everything from keeping your groceries organized to making a list of the kids’ summer clothes. As soon as you open the app it shows you all the nearby stores offering kicks, which can help you decide that it might be better to get your razors at Rite-Aid than Kroger’s, say. When you add certain items to your list—like pasta sauce, for instance—Shopkick will also show you which brands or products are offering extra points for purchase (or even just for scanning the item), and at what stores. You can use this to really rack up the kicks and earn lots of rewards fast. Once you find the items you need and tag them in your list, it even organizes your items by department so you’re not running back and forth between aisles while you’re shopping.

Another cool aspect of the app is that it lets you discover sales and cool trending items. And, the app even shows you deals for a lot of the things you discover and add to your shopping list. Super cool!

I would never criticize my mama’s old-timey-notepad-beside-the-fridge system, but I must say that I think using my favorite free grocery list app with prices and rebates is a way better system.

I may be a good daughter, and I would never criticize my mama’s old-timey-notepad-beside-the-fridge system, but I must say that I think using my favorite free grocery list app with prices and rebates is a way better system. It’s fun to use, and basically makes every trip to the store into a fun game to save money. Plus, it literally helps me find points that will save money in my budget in the future. I’ve never seen a notepad do that!

I highly recommend giving Shopkick a chance, if not for the list functionality then for all the savings it offers. Added plus: Shopkick hosts some really cool social media channels where I’ve personally found oodles of great recipes (and hilarious memes) through all my Shopkicking friends. Give it a chance and see for yourself, friends!

Learn how you too can benefit from the best free grocery list app with prices and rebates. Download Shopkick’s free app and get ready to be wowed. Welcome to the fun, Shopkicker!

If you’re as social media savvy as you are shopping savvy, join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for daily shopping fun.

Image courtesy HighwayStarz

The best apps to save money on groceries

Posted on by Kick Writers

The best apps to save money on groceries

When you’re raising three young boys who are only a few years apart, you have to reconcile yourself to a few truths: Your house is always going to be loud, you’re going to need plenty of Band-Aids, and someone will always, always, always be hungry. Seriously, grocery shopping for me these days feels like trying to satisfy never-ending appetites! I love my boys more than anything, but buying as much food as I do on a weekly basis can be a challenge for the budget.

Over the years I’ve had to get creative with how I save money on groceries. There was a time when that meant endlessly clipping coupons. But as my boys have grown, so has the technology available to help with your budget. I’m talking specifically about some of the best apps to save money on groceries.

There’s actually a wide variety of these apps, many even make it feel like you’re getting paid to shop, and I think that I’ve tried them all. What can I say? Having three hungry boys at home calls for desperate measures. Today I want to share what I’ve learned about these apps, go over what features the best apps to save money on groceries should have, and give you a list of my personal favorites.

Common Features of the Best Apps to Save Money on Groceries

So many great apps that help you save money on groceries have been springing up, and they all have lot of bells and whistles. In my experience, however, the best of these apps have some critical features in common. So, when it comes to finding the best apps to save money on groceries, make sure the one you choose has all of these features—and then some—if possible:

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Pays you to shop:

This is the foundation of all the best shopping rewards apps: they must pay you for shopping. Otherwise, they’re useless! Most of the best apps pay you for shopping by giving you points once you make a purchase and take a photo of your receipt. You can then redeem those points for cash or for gift cards that can be used at a variety of stores. The amount of the rewards tends to vary from app to app.

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Introduces new products:

Another cool feature that some of the best grocery apps have is the ability to help you to learn about new products. This is usually done by paying you for scanning barcodes. Once you’ve scanned the barcode, the app gives you rewards points, cool info about the featured product, and even the price. I often find myself buying items I love but would never have otherwise considered if I hadn’t discovered them when I was offered points for scanning a barcode.

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Has a game-like feel:

One of the things I love is that the best of these apps turn shopping into a game, kind of like a fun scavenger hunt for rewards, points, and savings. Nowadays, I find myself getting excited for each grocery run as I compete with my past self to see if I can earn more points than I racked up previously.

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Sends updates on breaking deals:

Some of these apps will also send you real-time alerts or weekly updates about the latest deals on their app, about new rewards-earning opportunities, and about sales at your favorite stores. This can help you strategize your weekly shopping and maximize the rewards points you earn.

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Gets social:

One of the key ways to maximize your savings with the best apps to save money on groceries is to actually use the app as much as possible. I find that if an app has a supportive social media community attached to it, then I’m more likely to get excited about using it. It also helps me to never forget it when I’m at the store. The best shopping apps have super fun social media channels where you share tips, jokes, and stories about being a shopper and a mom with fellow users.

I basically divide the best apps to save money on groceries into two groups: coupon-style apps and rewards-style apps. Let’s take a look at the pros, cons, and best-in-class for each.

The Best Coupon Apps to Save Money on Groceries

I like to think of some of these apps as coupon apps because they function much the way old-school paper coupons did. While entirely digital, these apps give you money off certain items at the time of purchase, just as coupons used to. It’s a great way for saving money, for obvious reasons. These are some of my personal favorites:

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Coupon Cactus:

Coupon Cactus is a lot like those old paper coupons as it gives you certain discounts on certain items at certain stores. The big difference is that with this app you can use those coupons online, too. Sometimes your savings come in a set amount, like $2 off a featured product; other times you get a percentage off, generally up to 30%. Once you’ve gotten your savings up to $10 or more, you can cash out via PayPal or get a check issued on a quarterly basis. It’s always a great day when that check comes in the mail.

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SavingStar:

SavingStar is another digital coupon app that pays users to shop at grocery and drugstores. What’s really cool is that more than 60,000 stores are part of SavingStar, and those stores actually represent more than 100 retail chains. So, chances are good that your favorite grocery store will be on there. It’s generally free to use but beware: If an account is inactive for 180 straight days SavingStar will charge a fee of $3.99.

To take advantage of SavingStar, users either link their existing store loyalty cards to the app or submit receipts after they make a purchase. The savings add up until the user can eventually cash out through PayPal, Upromise, or in the form of Starbucks, iTunes, or AMC Theatre gift codes. Again, I’m most likely to use PayPal because I can put the money right back into my budget, although sometimes I’ll go with AMC Theatre if there’s a new Star Wars movie coming out that the boys really want to catch.

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SnipSnap:

The last coupon app on my list is actually the most traditional in that this is one lets users take pictures of actual physical printed coupons, which it then transforms into digital, mobile-ready ones. Users can browse online directories and take advantage of coupons their friends have “snipped” as well, which is a really cool social function that I use quite a bit. This one doesn’t exactly pay, though. Instead, users save money, like with a traditional coupon, at the register.

The best part about SnipSnap is that your coupons can all be easily kept in one digital space, instead of having an overflowing little billfold stuff with paper, or a junk drawer brimming with coupons you’re sure to forget about until after you get home from your grocery run.

The Best Shopping Rewards Apps to Save Money on Groceries

How shopping rewards apps work is pretty simple: you go to your grocery store, do your shopping like normal, and you get a certain amount of points for the shopping behaviors you would be doing anyway. Then—and here comes my favorite part—you can trade those points for gift cards to your favorite stores, which can open up some serious space in your budget! Best of all, and I’ve talked about this in the past, you can maximize your savings by combining shopping rewards apps with the coupon apps!

Here are my two favorite shopping rewards apps:

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Ebates:

I enjoy Ebates because it has a user-friendly design that makes everything on the page clear and easy to find. It also gives you a certain amount of money back on purchases, like 3% cash back at Amazon, which is where I often order non-perishable groceries for the boys in bulk—like six boxes of Cheerios or four boxes of Clif Bars for those soccer weekends. One of my favorite things about Ebates is how fast you get your earnings. In fact, Ebates gives you money back within 48 hours. Or, you can get your earnings back each quarter in the form of a paper check. It’s your choice with Ebates.

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Shopkick:

I’ve used all the best apps to save money on groceries, and I can safely say that Shopkick is my favorite. It also just so happens to be a total blast. The app gives users points, called kicks, for doing the grocery shopping they would be doing anyway, like making purchases, scanning barcodes of items, and even just walking into some favorite stores. How it works is incredibly simple, and it basically turns shopping into a game, like a scavenger hunt.

As an added plus, Shopkick is also really social. Their social media has a great community vibe, and users get awarded kicks when they refer friends who sign up. Users trade in kicks to get paid in gift cards to the stores they love to shop (or to splurge on a quick Starbucks treat, which is something I love to do).

Best if all, Shopkick lets you maximize all your savings because it can be combined with the best coupon apps. So, you can use coupons to take money off at the register, and then get kicks for the money you spent, which you can then turn into gift cards!

Last but not least, I want to note that many of my favorite places to get groceries—Walmart, Target, and even Whole Foods—have their own savings apps with all kinds of great features. And, I’m able to combine these internal savings apps with my personal favorite, Shopkick, in order to save even more on groceries!

While I could take all the money I’m saving using these apps and spend it on a nice vacation right now, until then I’m super happy to have the extra space in my budget. After all, you never know when one of the boys will come home from school and need new gym clothes or extra school supplies for a project he just happened to forget to mention was due.  

Get one of the best apps to save money on groceries today. Download Shopkick’s free app and join a community of loyal Shopkickers who’ve already discovered the rewards of shopping with a free, smartphone app sidekick.

And, if you love social media as much as you love your smartphone, join Shopkick on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for a little daily shopping inspiration.

Gather huge kicks over Blue Weekend

Posted on by Kick Writers

It’s time for Shopkick‘s largest kick event of the season: Blue Weekend! But hurry — these major kicks are only available March 23, 2018 through March 25, 2018!

It’s Blue Weekend!

The hunt is on for huge kicks! Gather up kicks in stores and online March 23 through March 25. Snag over 8,000 kicks by walking in, scanning, submitting receipts, and purchasing with your linked card in stores all weekend long. Plus, earn up to 15 kicks for every dollar spent online through the Shopkick app March 24 – March 25 at stores like eBags, Jet, Overstock, and many more! 

Happy shopkicking!

Kick Plan

Open the app to get started, or check out the kick plan below to see where you can get your kicks!

BIG KICKS IN-STORE
MARCH 23-25
200 kicks
3/24 ONLY
brought to you by
6 kicks/$1
3/23-3/25
100 kicks
3/24 ONLY
200 kicks
3/23-3/25
10 kicks/$1
3/23-3/25
150 kicks
3/24 ONLY
150 kicks
3/24 ONLY
100 kicks
3/24 ONLY
brought to you by
100s of kicks
3/23-3/25
1000s of kicks
3/23-3/25
100s of kicks
3/23 – 3/25
1000s of kicks
3/23 – 3/25
200 kicks
3/23-3/25
10 kicks/$1
3/23-3/25
150 kicks
3/23-3/25
6 kicks/$1
+
Spend $45, get 200 kicks
3/23-3/25
6 kicks/$1
+
Spend $45, get 200 kicks
3/23-3/25
8 kicks/$1
+
Spend $50, get 600 kicks
3/24
6 kicks/$1
3/23-3/25
2 kicks/$1
+
Spend $1, get 100 kicks
Spend $50, get 400 kicks
3/23-3/25
100 kicks
3/24 ONLY
2 kicks/$1*
+
Spend $50, get 700 kicks
Spend $75, get 1,200 kicks
Spend $100, get 2,000 kicks
3/24 ONLY
*Also available at Fabletics.com
At checkout, linked debit cards must be run as credit in order to receive your kicks
BIG KICKS ONLINE
MARCH 24-25

10 kicks/$1
was 7 kicks

9 kicks/$1
was 5 kicks

9 kicks/$1
was 4 kicks

15 kicks/$1
was 10 kicks

14 kicks/$1
was 7 kicks

14 kicks/$1
was 6 kicks

10 kicks/$1
was 5 kicks

9 kicks/$1
was 5 kicks

8 kicks/$1
was 3 kicks

10 kicks/$1
was 5 kicks

10 kicks/$1
was 5 kicks

6 kicks/$1
was 3 kicks

4 kicks/$1
was 2 kicks

 

Don’t have the app yet?

Join the fun! Download Shopkick now to earn kicks towards free gift cards doing the shopping you already do.

Understanding millennial spending habits as a QSR marketing professional

Posted on by Kick Writers

When it comes to millennial spending habits, quick service restaurants (QSR) are in a strong position. Millennials are more willing than other generations to eat out, with 79% reporting they regularly spend money eating at restaurants. As such, their habits are influencing how QSRs market their offerings. QSR marketing professionals need to understand millennials’ unique spending habits to best serve this market of consumers.

millennial spending habits to knowMillennials offer a lot of opportunities for QSRs: They’re adventurous and willing to try new experiences when it comes to food. They view food as an experience, rather than mere fuel, and 81% of millennials report they examine new cultures through food. QSRs must also be willing to offer variety, affordability, and technology to truly connect with the millennial consumer.

Millennials: Open-minded and Seeking

Millennials don’t just view food as a necessity, they see it as an experience. QSRs must be prepared to deliver some kind of tasting experience through their food, and they need to highlight that in their marketing strategies. There are many ways to create a dining experience, including:

  • Over the top: Millennials are more than willing to try items that might be seen as indulgent. About 63% of millennials report they enjoy it when a brand offers an over-the-top menu item.
  • Cultural cuisine: Millennials are interested in exploring new cultures through cuisine. The recent emergence of QSRs focused on new cultural offerings, like Hawaiian and Indian foods, which were traditionally underrepresented in the QSR industry, seeks to address this interest.
  • Nostalgia: Comfort food also attracts millennials who want to re-experience flavors from their childhood. About 69% of millennials wish brands would offer foods designed to remind them of their youth.

Millennials are adventurous eaters, which means QSR managers for offbeat chains have an even greater opportunity to attract new consumers in the cohort. Keep in mind, however, that millennials remain highly focused on convenience.

The Millennial Quest for Quick and Convenient

Millennials snack more than their other generational counterparts. That leads to a lot of opportunity in the QSR market, as these restaurants are uniquely positioned to provide snack foods in a hurry. We’ve already seen several brands move to leverage this through:

  • Healthy-focused offerings: Millennials want to eat healthy, with about 67% reporting they seek healthy options at restaurants. Giving them a menu of quick, light snacks goes a long way towards gaining their loyalty.
  • On-the-go options: Millennials tend to eat on their feet, in that they’re eating while going somewhere, or at their desks, or simply while walking down the street. Foods like wraps that consumers can eat on the go are great options.
  • Multitask ready locations: While most millennials will eat off-premise, those who stay at a restaurant expect to have access to technology like WiFi, televisions and other display screens to keep them entertained. Using technology to enhance the QSR customers experience is becoming a necessity for restaurants seeking to cater to millennials.

On-the-go millennial consumers want to be able to eat quickly, yet when they do take time to sit down, they want to be entertained. Many QSRs are turning to technology to help in both improving the ordering process and in offering more in-restaurant entertainment options.

Maximizing on Millennial Spending Habits with Tech Driven Ordering Options

Millennials grew up with computers in their homes and came of age with the Internet, meaning that technology is an important part of their lives. In recent years, that need for tech has expanded into the QSR sector, as millennials seek out ways to make the ordering process more convenient.

Many QSRs have rolled out options to allow consumers to order via mobile phones and pick up their waiting order in person. These consumers can even pay by phone, further reducing wait times. As options like Uber Eats—a food delivery service that uses the ride-sharing app—become more popular, QSRs can even use them to offer delivery in new locations.

By leveraging mobile app advertising options, like shopping apps, QSRs can connect with millennials as they’re on the go

Another thing mobile technology can provide QSR marketing managers is marketing strategies with great potential for ROI. By leveraging mobile app advertising options, like shopping apps, QSRs can connect with millennials as they’re on the go and even share information on new products and offer rewards. With Shopkick, for example, a QSR can give a consumer rewards points just for walking in the door and can provide additional points for making certain purchases, all through a mobile-based platform.

Millennials are a very lucrative target market for QSRs because of how much money they spend eating out. They’re also willing to try new things, making it easier for brands to attract their attention—provided they offer millennials convenience and technology-based ordering. By using shopping apps, QSRs can even better capitalize on millennial spending habits and improve brand recognition and sales.

Shopkick helps our partners connect with millennial consumers as they’re on the go through our innovative app. To use our app to reach them, contact us.

Image courtesy Sonjachnyj

Posted in b2b

The Walmart savings catcher app: how to maximize your savings with it

Posted on by Kick Writers

Anyone who knows me knows that I talk about shopping at the gym, at lunch with friends, at my office, and even on my Facebook and my Twitter feeds! I love shopping, and I might love even more the conversations I have about my favorite stores, upcoming sales, and the best ways to find discounts. Probably my newest obsession to talk about is in-store branded apps!

walmart savings catcher appShopping apps are basically everywhere nowadays and, if you’re anything like me, you probably have a hard time even remembering what it was like before we used them. If you’ve never heard of these apps, first of all, where have you been? Second, wow, are you in for a treat! Shopping apps are the best way today for shoppers to save money! The best way to explain them—and I’ve had practice doing that, believe me—is to compare them to those old store loyalty programs. Basically, these are apps that give you rewards for making certain purchases. There’s a huge variety out there, but today I want to hone in on just one: the Walmart Savings Catcher app!  

What is the Walmart Savings Catcher App?

Of all the apps that individual stores offer to their loyal shoppers, the Walmart Savings Catcher app stands out. What this app does is cross-reference your Walmart purchases with the advertised prices of the same item at all the local retailers in your town. Then, if any of those other stores have a lower price on the merchandise, Walmart delivers the difference back to you. It’s a great app to use because it gives you peace of mind that you got the absolute best deal.

It’s also popular because it’s super easy to use. Here’s how it works:

  • Scan your store receipt after you go shopping at Walmart: This is exactly what it sounds like. Once you finish your shopping at Walmart, just take out your phone, open the app, and scan your receipt.
  • Let Walmart compare the prices: You don’t actually have to do anything here because Walmart will compare what you paid to the advertised prices at all the local competitors.
  • Enjoy your savings: If Walmart finds that someplace else locally had a lower advertised price, it will deliver the difference back to you in the form of a gift card.

It’s this simplicity and ease of use that, in my humble opinion, makes the Walmart Savings Catcher app one of the best apps to make cash to bolster your budget. But, there are other ways to make it even more rewarding.

Walmart Savings Catcher + Other Shopping Apps = More $$$

I know I said I was going to focus on just one shopping rewards app, but the truth is there’s actually a way to get extra savings out of the Walmart Savings Catcher app, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t teach you how to maximize your rewards while using it! As it turns out, you can double dip (sort of) on all those Walmart savings if you combine the app with one of my favorite shopping rewards apps.

The app is called Shopkick and it is great because it perfectly augments the Walmart Savings Catcher app. How Shopkick works is that you use it to get points just for walking into a Walmart, for scanning the barcodes of certain products to get more information, and for scanning your receipt after you’ve made your purchases—which you’re going to be doing anyway at Walmart. With Shopkick, you get points for all those activities which you can eventually trade in for gift cards. So, not only are you getting the guaranteed lowest price on everything you buy at Walmart, you’re also earning reward points that you can turn into future gift cards to buy more of the things you love, at places like Walmart!

Not only are you getting the guaranteed lowest price on everything you buy at Walmart, you’re also earning reward points that you can turn into future gift cards to buy more of the things you love.

Of course, Shopkick is not limited to just Walmart. It’s also a great third-party savings app to combine with the apps from other stores, including Whole Foods and Target. Put simply, the Walmart Savings Catcher app is absolutely great, but it’s even better when you combine it with Shopkick!

One thing I’ve learned from my chats with friends about the best ways to use apps to save on shopping is that after they get all of this information, they usually become anxious to go out and start taking advantage of these apps! So, with that in mind, I’ll leave you to it. If you want to talk at some point later, though, I’m always available. I just love love love hearing about success stories that involve Shopkick.

Learn how you can combine the Walmart Savings Catcher app with Shopkick today to save even more money. Download Shopkick’s free app and get ready to be wowed. Welcome to the fun, Shopkicker!

If you’re as social media savvy as you are shopping savvy, join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for daily shopping fun.

Image courtesy Walmart

Three must know video marketing statistics

Posted on by Kick Writers

Knowing what your competitors are doing in terms of marketing initiatives is one of the key parts of building a campaign, and you can gain a lot of insight from video marketing statistics for 2018. Understanding competitors’ practices reveals how they’re reaching out to consumers and, sometimes, what you should be trying as well. Using these statistics can help brands develop ideas for differentiation. Video marketing statistics reveal what others in the industry are doing and how a brand can stand out in an attempt to gain market share.

must-know video marketing statistics Choosing a slant, an audience, and a platform for video ads can be a challenge for brands, as the number of choices can almost overwhelm. There are thousands of platforms and audiences to approach and millions of ways to deliver messages. Brands need to be able to segment themselves and find the ideal place to share their category of goods. Gaining insight from three key video marketing statistics can help guide and improve your video marketing decisions.

Video Marketing Statistic #1: Marketers Are Increasing Focus on Video

Most marketers plan on boosting their budgets for video marketing in 2018. In one survey, about 85% of digital marketing professionals plan on increasing their investment in video in 2018. That’s across all major platforms, including:

  • Social media: About 61% of mobile marketers plan to use social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to share video advertising this year. The rapid increase in marketers using video advertising on social media platforms could be due to the increased development of native platforms within these sites. Facebook is one such site that is increasing its support in video, to include adding options for mobile video. The increased access to social platform video support is a driving factor for why so many brands are choosing to leverage it.
  • In-app advertising: Marketers are also looking to in-app advertising for mobile video, where advertisements appear while consumers are using apps. This category also accounts for shopping apps, like Shopkick, which are seeing a rapid increase in popularity with consumers.
  • Branded video advertising: Brands making their own videos and hosting them on their own sites will also grow this year. When a landing page includes a video, it’s estimated that up to 86% of users will go on to view additional site content after viewing the video. This is a key factor in why brands are upping their native video content production.

Of course, there are a few downsides to increased video advertising spending. First, many brands will find it more difficult to gain attention as competitors also roll out video offerings. In addition, increased ad spending on video advertising has also increased the risk of fraud.

Video Marketing Statistic #2: Scammers Now Focused on Video

Video is becoming a prime target for ad fraud as it has become a lucrative area for scammers. Video makes up about half, 45%, of ad spend for companies, but it accounts for 64% of ad fraud. This fraud occurs several ways:

  • Pre-roll mislabeling: In video advertising, a brand can purchase advertisements to run prior to editorial content, often referred to as pre-roll. In some cases, however, a disreputable firm may instead play video in a pop-up window, with no editorial content. The issue with this is that advertisers will pay for a more expensive editorial spot with high conversion potential but will instead get impressions from one of these low conversion potential pop-up windows.
  • False traffic: In this style of advertising fraud, fraudsters set up bot networks that send fake traffic to view videos. The advertiser pays for real, human traffic, but instead gets machine generated traffic.
  • Piracy: Piracy, in relation to ad fraud, comes when sites deliver pirated content at the expense of legitimate sponsors. In 2016, digital ad revenue from content that infringed on copyrights reached $111 million, forcing many online advertising organizations to begin cracking down on copyright violations.
  • False completions: Fraud also occurs when a viewer scrolls through a feed and sees only 2 seconds of a 30 second video, yet the marketer is charged for a full 30-second view.

It can be difficult to fight these types of fraud because spotting them can be a challenge. To avoid paying for fraudulent ads, companies should work with marketers that hold industry credentials, like TAG and MRC certifications. Those credentials show that a company has met certain standards, so brands can trust the methods they use for gaining and measuring traffic. This is especially important for brands as video viewing switches to mobile devices.

Video Marketing Statistic #3: Mobile Makes the Difference

Mobile video advertisements grew by more than one-third in 2017, and it was reported that consumers spend around half an hour every day viewing these advertisements. It appears that mobile video demand and supply are increasing simultaneously, as consumers seek more mobile content and brands hustle to deliver it.

One way to stand out with mobile video advertising is to take an in-app based approach.

Mobile video advertising is in a massive growth phase right now, which is why brands need to seek unique ways to leverage it. An influx of innovative new advertising platforms makes for exceptional opportunities for brands, as it’s possible to get in on the best advertising platforms while they’re still in their infancy—before they’re overrun by competition. One way to stand out with mobile video advertising is to take an in-app based approach, such as with shopping apps that allow brands to share video advertising in a platform that leverages multiple strategies for incentivizing sales.

These video marketing statistics for 2018 provide insight on what the competition is doing in terms of ad spending. They also show us areas of risk—like increased ad fraud—and reveal what platforms to focus on. Understanding what is driving competitors to take the steps they do with video lends insights brands can utilize in their own marketing campaigns.

Shopkick is heavily focused on the impact of video and offers our partners the opportunity to leverage it through the power of mobile apps. For more information, contact us.

Image courtesy of Onephoto

Posted in b2b

Why you should scan receipts: Apps for money back on purchases

Posted on by Kick Writers

Let’s be real: dealing with receipts can be a total mess. For years, I had no system. At first, I tossed them as soon as I left the store. Then came the floating receipts phase — my purse was their playground. Eventually, they all got stuffed into my car’s glove box until it overflowed (oops). But now? I’ve upgraded my game. Not only do I have a filing cabinet to keep things tidy (hello, tax season!), but I’ve also discovered a way to actually make money back from those little slips of paper. Enter: shopping rewards apps!

 

If you’ve never heard of scanning receipts to earn rewards, let me tell you — it’s a total game-changer. It’s super simple: shop, save your receipt, scan it into an app, and boom, you start racking up points. With those points, you can snag free gift cards, discounts, or even cash back. Seriously, why leave free money on the table?

 

In this post, I’ll share how these apps work, why they’re worth your time, and why my personal fave, Shopkick, is the ultimate tool to make shopping even more rewarding. Ready to make your receipts work for you? Let’s dive in!

 

Why Scanning Receipts is a Smart Shopper’s Secret Weapon

Shopping is fun, but saving money while you do it? Even better. Scanning your receipts with shopping apps isn’t just about keeping track of purchases — it’s about turning everyday buys into big-time benefits. Think about it: you’re already spending money on things you need, so why not earn something extra along the way?

 

Here’s why this method rocks:

  • Effortless Rewards: All you need is your receipt and a few minutes. Snap a photo, upload it, and you’re done
  • Free Stuff: Points can be traded for gift cards to your favorite stores — Starbucks, Amazon, Target, you name it!
  • Cash Back Perks: Some apps even give you cold, hard cash just for shopping
  • Budget-Friendly Fun: Save on future purchases without cutting into your current budget

 

It’s basically free money for doing what you’re already doing — shopping. And let’s face it, who doesn’t love getting something for free?

 

The Inside Scoop: How Shopping Rewards Apps Work

Curious how these magical apps turn your receipts into rewards? Let me break it down for you in three super-easy steps:

 

  1. Shop Like You Always Do: Head to your favorite stores, grab the items on your list, and save your receipt
  2. Scan Your Receipt: Open your app, snap a photo of your receipt, and upload it. The app reads the info and rewards you with points for qualifying purchases
  3. Redeem Your Rewards: Watch your points add up and exchange them for gift cards, discounts, or cash back

 

That’s it. Seriously — it’s that simple! Some apps, like Shopkick, even let you earn extra points for fun stuff like scanning barcodes in-store or shopping online. With so many ways to earn, you’ll be cashing in on rewards in no time.

 

Why Shopkick is the Best of the Best

When it comes to shopping rewards apps, there’s one name that stands out from the rest: Shopkick. Why? Because it’s not just an app — it’s a whole vibe. Shopkick makes earning rewards fun, easy, and ridiculously satisfying.

 

Here’s what makes Shopkick a standout:

 

  • Multiple Ways to Earn: Points aren’t just for scanning receipts. You can earn kicks (that’s what Shopkick calls points) by walking into stores, scanning barcodes, watching videos, and shopping online
  • No Purchase Necessary: Yep, you can earn kicks without spending a dime — just for exploring your favorite stores
  • Amazing Rewards: Redeem your kicks for free gift cards to all the places you already love
  • Engaging Community: Their social media presence on Facebook and Instagram is full of tips, laughs, and shopping inspo

 

It’s no wonder Shopkick feels like getting paid to shop — it actually does pay you! Plus, it’s easy to use and makes saving money feel like a game.

 

Join the Fun and Start Saving!

So, what are you waiting for? Don’t let those receipts go to waste. Join the Shopkick community today and turn every trip to the store into an opportunity to save — and have fun while you’re at it. Your wallet (and your wish list) will thank you!

Is there a shopping list app for iPhone?

Posted on by Kick Writers

I may be a pretty skilled grocery shopper these days, but it wasn’t always that way. In fact, when I was younger, I went to the store one time without a list and totally forgot everything I needed. Did I say one time? Because it was really probably way closer to six or seven times.

iPhone shopping list appLuckily, those days are behind me now, and that’s in large part thanks to my handy dandy iPhone. My smartphone—which let’s face it, I carry with me everywhere—put a stop to my forgetting things and impulse buys. For years, I used to put my list in my notes app, but then I discovered something even better: There are shopping list apps for iPhone that can help you organize your grocery store runs even better.

I’ve been asking around (mostly to the guys I play pickup ball with at the park once a month), and hardly anyone has heard about this, which is why I want to talk about it here today. I’ve also discovered that the all-time best shopping list app for iPhone is one that can help you save money when you’re at the store, too. Organized and cheaper? That’s right. Here’s everything you need to know.

What Are Shopping List Apps for iPhone?

Shopping list apps sound like a simple concept, but developers have actually used some really cool tech to make things complex. The best shopping lists apps have databases where you can enter products you normally buy and then just add them to your list without having to type out the whole product. Even better, some of these apps are shareable, so that you can make it accessible to your roommate, significant other, family, or whoever you share shopping duties with.

These days, there’s more than just one shopping list app for iPhone. In fact, there are actually several. Some are just simple apps with checkboxes. Others let you make a list straight from a recipe. And, I even found one that pays me money while I shop!

The Best Shopping List App for iPhone

After trying many of the dozens of shopping list apps for iPhone, I narrowed my favorites down to just a few, although in all honesty there’s only one that I absolutely have to use each and every single time I head to any store.

Let’s take a look at the shopping list apps for iPhone that I think every shopper should know about:

  • BigOven: Like all my favorite shopping list apps for iPhone, BigOven does quite a bit more than just make it simpler for you to create a shopping list, although it also does that, of course. BigOven is, fundamentally, a recipe app that lets you easily find recipes for meals to cook later and then auto-populate your list with the items you’ll need. It’s a really great and useful tool for a guy like me who doesn’t mind cooking every so often but who almost never has the time to look up new recipes then parse them into shopping lists.
  • Cozi Family Organizer: This is one of those list-sharing apps that helps make sure the entire family is on the same page. Cozi helps coordinate and communicate schedules with multiple people, track grocery lists, manage to-do lists, plan ahead for dinner, and more. It’s such a cool and efficient way to delegate and divvy up any and all shopping responsibilities, which is how we use it in my house. Someone might throw “gallon of milk” on our ongoing list via Cozi Family Organizer, and then the next time someone has to run out for literally any reason, they’ll snag the milk. Easy!
  • Shopkick: This last app is easily my favorite of all. It’s called Shopkick, and it does so much more than just make it easier for you to create lists (although, again, it also does that). What Shopkick does is make every trip to the store into a fun game to save money. In the big picture, Shopkick gives you points—called kicks—for simple shopping behaviors, like buying products, scanning the barcodes on certain products for more information, and even just walking into the store. Then, you can turn those points into gift cards to your favorite stores. The shopping list portion of the app is an added plus. Not only can you use it to make a list of things you need, when you add certain items to your list, like pasta sauce, for instance, Shopkick will show you which brands or products are offering extra kicks for purchase. How fun is that?!

Basically, I love Shopkick and because of it, I’m actively engaged when I’m at the store now. I highly recommend it to anyone, from those who just need to make a simple list to others who are hoping to save money. It’s also a great choice for people who don’t generally do the shopping because the app can help guide you through the aisles by telling you which products are available to scan for kicks. Essentially, it’ll turn your list into a cashback kind of venture, which is truly a beautiful thing.

Ready to get organized and save money at the same time with the coolest shopping list app for iPhone? Download Shopkick for free and join a community of loyal Shopkickers who’ve already discovered the rewards of shopping with us!

And, if you love using your smartphone to stay up on social media, join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for daily shopping inspiration.

Image courtesy Dean Drobot