Debenhams

Debenhams & GE

Background
GE Consumer Finance (GECF) wished to provide a stored value service to its UK retailer client base. Having looked at designing and developing in-house capability, it was decided that an external specialist could provide both expertise and future product potential. To this end, GECF partnered with PrePay Technologies Ltd, a UK based specialist provider with specific knowledge of both prepay products and the UK and European markets.

The Client
Debenhams is one of the most popular and recognised British retail names, known for its innovative approach to retailing.

The Opportunity
Following the phenomenal success of gift cards in the US, Debenhams, a popular paper gift voucher retailer, was approached by GECF with a view to launching a gift card in the UK.

Solution
Debenhams sought a solution that would deliver operational efficiencies across their business, whilst allowing them to offer an innovative, more marketing focussed product to their customers. To ensure all client objectives were delivered, a collaborative approach to the project delivery was essential. It was imperative that the solution being delivered fulfilled Debenhams' immediate requirements and was flexible enough to meet future requirements. PrePay Technologies ensured that alternative stored value products and specific Debenhams client functionality were considered. This consultative approach to delivering the Debenhams project instilled the all-important confidence and trust in PrePay Technologies' ability to design, project manage and deliver the Debenhams gift card for the scheme launch date. To deliver the solution, PrePay Technologies worked with Debenhams' Business and Technical teams. They also worked with Debenhams' EPOS supplier to define the gift card transaction interface.

Today a Debenhams customer can enjoy a gift card scheme that enables them to choose from several different styles of card, to tailor the gift for the recipient: (Designers at Debenhams, Weddings, Health and Beauty etc). They can purchase gift cards from any Debenhams point of sale across 100 stores nationwide and also add further value to the card if they wish.

Conclusion
PrePay Technologies' service to Debenhams and GECF, (incorporating scheme design and development, transaction processing, post-live support and on-going product development) was a critical factor in the choice of PrePay Technologies as gift card service provider. The Debenhams gift card scheme from PrePay Technologies was launched in November 2002 to take advantage of the seasonal peak in voucher sales and was the first gift card service delivered to market by a UK provider.