du, Majid Al Futtaim Group (MAF) and Beam Wallet, have signed a partnership to tap into the potential of mobile shopping across the region, creating more opportunities for consumers to earn rewards and save money. The collaboration brings together a leading telecom provider, one of the biggest retail groups in the region and an existing mobile rewards platform.
The partnership will significantly extend the reach of Beam Wallet, which already offers exclusive offers in more than 1,100 retail outlets in the UAE. With the new partnership, this reach will extend to over 2,000 by Q1 2015 through Majid Al Futtaim’s leisure and retail outlets. du’s customer base will also benefit from exclusive Beam Wallet deals. Given the country’s leading smartphone penetration, the partners believe Beam Wallet could account for one in 10 transactions in the UAE.
Osman Sultan, CEO, du, says in a press statement: “Our ambition goes beyond providing customers with phone lines, internet and TV; we’re offering digital services that add life to life and supporting the UAE leadership‘s vision of a Smart City. The UAE is well regarded for its retail infrastructure, with some of the most tech-savvy consumers in the world; this creates the perfect environment for us to set global standards for digital shopping”.
Iyad Malas, CEO, Majid Al Futtaim Group, adds: “The future of retail is intrinsically linked to mobile technology, and our participation in this partnership recognises the value and opportunity for each partner and their customers. This certainly enhances our leadership in creating innovative and rewarding shopping experiences for our customers, and ensures we harness the latest technology applications across our many brands”.
Shezan Amiji, co-founder Beam Wallet, says: “There are two significant elements to this story. Not only does Beam Wallet provide a platform and product that delivers more than any other solution available globally right now, but this partnership is probably a world-first too. This brings together best-in-class industry players – a telco with access to a large customer base, a regional retail leader with a broad network of retail touch-points, and a digital platform that delivers a mobile commerce proposition that is equally compelling for both consumers and retailers”.
Free to use and downloadable on any smartphone device running iOS or Android, Beam Wallet works over any platform, with any participating retailer, and enables consumers to make convenient and secure payments, and benefit from valuable offers and earn rewards. Shoppers are alerted to rewards at nearby outlets which can be redeemed at point of sale when purchasing items using their phone.
The agreement was signed by Osman Sultan, CEO, du; Iyad Malas, CEO, Majid Al Futtaim Group; and Shezan Amiji, co-founder, Beam Wallet, at du’s head office. Several senior representatives of each company were also present at the ceremony.
