Ikano Financial Services, the retail loyalty specialist, has developed its first smartphone app for its client, Monsoon.

Developed by Ikano to reduce loyalty scheme operating costs for its clients, the app will allow customers to join the Monsoon Reward Scheme or register existing accounts, alert them to generic or app-only Monsoon promotions, and use their Reward Card from their phones, negating the need for carrying a plastic card. Customers will also have access to their latest Reward balance and be able to update personal details from their handsets.

The loyalty app will be the first in UK fashion retail and will enable customers to find their nearest Monsoon store – with a list of stores being offered within a three mile radius.

The app is free for customers to download and has been developed for maximum customer reach working across multiple smartphone platforms including iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Windows 7 and mobile web.

“As well as being convenient for customers by allowing them to manage their Reward Card on the move, the app will allow them instance access to their Reward Card balance and transactions as well as our latest exclusive offers,” explains Joe Irons, E-commerce & Multichannel Marketing Director at Monsoon Accessorize.

“It means that they will now never be without their Reward Card, as their smartphones will now be their loyalty tokens.”

The loyalty app will save costs for Monsoon and allow the retailer to invest the savings back into its customer experience.

Lindsey Ulanowsky, head of client services and marketing at Ikano, says of the app:
“As well as the savings on the production of plastic cards and the costs associated with physical direct mail, the app enables more Reward options and flexibility to both Monsoon and its customers.

“It will also increase social engagement through its links to twitter and Facebook and drive footfall via its Geo Location functionality. It should be well received, given that during our retail loyalty survey, 54 per cent of customers thought that a card on the phone was a good idea.”

Ikano and Monsoon have worked together since 2010, launching and managing the Monsoon Reward Programme.

The new loyalty app is expected to be taken up by other retailers before the end of the year.