CashStar and Comet Launch UK's First Comprehensive eGift Card Program

PORTLAND, Maine, Oct. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- CashStar, the world's leading digital gifting and incentives company, and Comet, a leading electronics retailer with 240 stores throughout the UK, today announced the launch of Comet's new eGift Card program. As the first full-featured digital gifting experience in the UK, it allows Comet customers to create digital gifts personalized with messages and photos. Consumers can send eGifts via email, Facebook or a mobile device. With the program now live on CashStar's eGifting platform, Comet is well-positioned to drive incremental revenue during the critical holiday sales season.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120814/NE55929LOGO )

"eGift Cards are increasingly popular in the consumer electronics industry, and we're seeing a growing demand from our customers. With Christmas less than three months away, enhancing the digital and mobile gift experience is one of our top priorities," said Scott Evenden, general manager, corporate sales at Comet. "CashStar's digital gifting technology makes it possible for us to offer customers unique personalization features, a fantastic recipient experience and end-to-end mobile optimization."

Following CashStar's expansion into the UK earlier this year, Comet is the first UK retailer to join CashStar's retailer network of more than 250 brands in the U.S. and Canada, including The Body Shop, Gap, Groupon, Pottery Barn, Staples, Starbucks and T.G.I. Friday's. Eagle Eye, a world leader in mobile coupons and gift vouchers, provides integration services with Comet's existing POS systems to enable in-store and online real-time validation and redemption of eGift Cards. By joining the CashStar platform, Comet has access to the latest in e-commerce innovation. This includes the market's leading fraud management system, advanced content management and the most sophisticated personalization features. CashStar's platform is also the first and only eGifting solution to integrate with the Passbook app in Apple's iOS 6 platform.

Retailers, financial institutions and major technology players have all recently announced versions of mobile wallets. Passbook, which has been installed by more than 100 million iPhone and iPod Touch users since its debut last month, will allow consumers to add their eGift Cards to their device with one easy click. With Passbook's location-based capabilities, consumers will also have the option to receive notifications when they are near retail locations where they can redeem their eGifts.

"In the U.S., retailers have experienced increased incremental revenue as a result of implementing CashStar's innovative eGift Card solutions. Consumers' lives have gone digital and mobile, and so have their gift cards," said David Stone, co-founder and CEO of CashStar. "The holiday period is critical, and profit margins have been tighter than ever for the retail industry. CashStar is launching its innovative eGift technology in the UK just in time for retailers to get up and running before the busiest months of the year. Comet is the first of many retailers in the UK that will offer the benefits of eGift Cards to consumers."

About Comet

Comet has 240 stores throughout the UK, offering a wide range of electrical products. Thousands of competitor prices are checked every week to ensure that Comet offers the best possible value. The focus is on giving customers the best price, best choice and the best service.

The Comet website - Comet.co.uk - offers easy, convenient shopping and with Comet's Click & Collect service customers can reserve online and collect in store an hour later. Our Click & Chat service online also connects customers to a real-time customer services advisor who can give tailored advice on Comet's products and services. Additionally, customers can shop by phone on 0844 800 95 95.

Comet offers a unique all-round shopping experience with a range of services including home delivery and next day delivery, full installation of products such as televisions, computers and integrated kitchen appliances, take back and recycling facilities for large products and comprehensive after sales service.

About Eagle Eye

Eagle Eye is a world leader in providing retailers and hospitality outlets with fully digitised coupon, gift voucher and payment services. Eagle Eye's platform allows customers to fully manage promotional coupon campaigns and gift voucher products, each with a unique identifying code, for distribution via digital (online and mobile) media.

In-store, the patented redemption technology integrates with existing Chip & PIN terminals / EPoS systems, providing a single automated, real-time redemption process for all digital coupons, gift vouchers and payment transactions. This provides a great customer experience, alongside key benefits such as cost efficiency, customer engagement, fraud protection and the collection of intelligent, real-time CRM data.

Trading since 2009, Eagle Eye counts leading retailers such as Gondola Group, Mitchells and Butlers, Comet, Blockbuster and Aurora Fashions amongst their client base. www.eagleeye.com

About CashStar, Inc.

CashStar is the world's leading preferred digital gifting and incentives partner for retailers. These retail brands leverage CashStar to easily and securely integrate digital gifting strategies to increase sales and customer loyalty. CashStar offers consumers an unmatched personalized eGift experience via email, mobile and social channels. It is the only company to successfully combine an on-demand B2C and B2B digital gifting and incentives platform with innovative multichannel marketing strategies. More than 250 brands are successfully partnering with CashStar to drive incremental sales, increase retention and boost profitability including The Body Shop, Gap, Groupon, The Home Depot, Mandarin Oriental, Pottery Barn, QVC, Staples, Starbucks and T.G.I. Friday's. To learn more about how CashStar is constantly innovating the way businesses deliver personalized gifting experiences to consumers and partners in the digital world, please visit www.cashstar.com or e-mail [email protected].

Contact:
Pauline Louie
Schwartz MSL
[email protected]
(781) 684-0770

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners

SOURCE CashStar, Inc.