PrePay Technologies delivers another first in PrePaid Technology

13th December 2004

PrePay Technologies Ltd, well-known in the gift voucher and incentive sector as the company behind the Debenhams and COMET gift card schemes and the Grass Roots Group's 'pure card', has delivered another 'first' to the UK marketplace with the launch of a multi-brand, multi-channel gift card for the Arcadia Group.

Currently available in Topshop, Topman, Burton, Miss Selfridge and Outfit, customers can purchase brand specific gift cards in-store and online via the brand website and redeem across all group outlets offering the consumer maximum choice and flexibility.    

PrePay Technologies has worked closely with Arcadia to ensure that the gift card solution delivered provides maximum flexibility and appeal to the customers. Gift cards aren't restricted to fixed value denominations and can be loaded with any amount ranging from £1 to £300.   Cardholders can check their balance in-store, online or using an IVR. For added security and flexibility customers can register their card online. Cards can also be topped up in store and online, giving donors the opportunity to continue gifting throughout the year or to manage their own retail spending.

Security and fraud prevention is a high priority in today's retail market and stored value cards supplied by PrePay Technologies offer the retailer the safeguard against excess stock loss associated with paper vouchers as the gift cards have no value until activated and can be easily displayed and merchandised on the shop floor. The automation of transactions also eliminates the time consuming manual procedures associated with paper vouchers.  

Speaking of the success of the product since launch, Mike Ford, Project Director of Arcadia, concluded, ''The up-take of the card has exceeded our expectations and proves that the customer is ripe for this type of flexible, stylish product. Eventually, we expect the gift card to replace our existing voucher product and use the technology to deliver new payment solutions to customers. We are very pleased with the professionalism and speed with which PrePay Technologies delivered this solution for us and we are looking forward to working with them to develop the product offering further.''

Speaking of the project, Philippe Dufour, CEO of PrePay Technologies Ltd said, ''PrePay Technologies won a competitive pitch to deliver this complex project for the Arcadia Group. Our team worked with all the Arcadia brands and across the key business areas of Arcadia to ensure that the solution being delivered met the requirements of each group. Nevertheless, we have achieved an impressive time-to-market of just nine months thanks to the relationships developed with the Arcadia team. We believe we are the only supplier with the capability and market knowledge of bringing a project of this complexity to market in such a short time frame and on budget.''