Smartfuel – Smart Answer for Kiwi Consumers

Media release
29 September 2010

SMARTFUEL – SMART ANSWER FOR KIWI CONSUMERS
Unique customer pilot kicks off in Palmerston North and Feilding

Palmerston North and Feilding residents are the first in the country to pilot a new fuel rewards programme that lets consumers accumulate their individual fuel discounts to deliver larger fuel savings – and even free fuel.

Called Smartfuel, the programme enables consumers to accumulate discounts from a wide range of participating retailers, with the fuel discounts accrued and stored against a magnetic strip card, ultimately removing the need for keeping paper dockets.

Pioneered by local entrepreneur, Scott Fitchett, the rewards can be used immediately or built up and used at a later date.

Scott Fitchett, who also owns service stations in the region, explains: “A person shops with participating retailers and each time they receive a fuel discount it adds up on the card. When they fill up their car at participating service stations they swipe their card to receive the accumulated cents per litre fuel discount off the pump price.”

Mr Fitchett, who is a co-director of Smartfuel along with Auckland-based marketing expert Ian Sutcliffe, says technology is a key component to getting the trial off the ground.

“After many months of development, we have implemented technology that enables the programme to be run through existing eftpos terminals and/or over the internet, ensuring Smartfuel can be used by businesses of any size as a reward to their customers.”

He adds: “Businesses don’t have to invest in any hardware to use this system and there is no back office reconciliation required.”

It is anticipated this flexibility will provide a point of difference for businesses, and the simplicity will appeal to customers with a range of added benefits, including the ability to link cards between friends and family.

Launched at the beginning of September in Palmerston North and Feilding, the pilot is set for three months and has more than 40 retailers signed-up to the scheme. Purchases from these outlets will result in rewards (cents per litre) that can be redeemed for fuel at Caltex and Mobil service stations in Palmerston North and Feilding.

“Participating retailers range from local cafes and video stores to automotive stores – just over 50 per cent are national chains,” says Mr Fitchett.

Customers can pick up their free Smartfuel cards from all participating retailers and Mobil and Caltex service stations in Palmerston North and Feilding.

Market research has been favourable and post-pilot, Mr Fitchett and Mr Sutcliffe plan to roll Smartfuel out nationwide.

Ends

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