Rakuten In-Store Network Implements Offers In Google Pay

The Rakuten In Store Network has turned on offers in Google Pay, allowing users of the payment method to receive cash back on promotions connected to their cards for eCommerce and brick-and-mortar purchases, according to a Tuesday (Dec. 8) announcement.

Josh Woodward, director, Google Pay, said in the announcement that the Google Pay platform provides chances for retailers to provide more in-depth shopper engagement “in creative ways with offers, rewards, and customized, dynamic content.”

“What sets the offers experience apart in Google Pay is the simplicity and the ease of use. Users can add these offers with a few taps to their cards and earn rewards when they use Google Pay or pay with their card,” Woodward said.

Rakuten In Store Network’s and Google Pay’s relationship provides card-connected offers via the iOS and Android Google Pay mobile programs. It lets shoppers earn cash back at merchants such as Adidas, Gap and H&M.

Membership programs such as Rakuten.com, Alaska Airlines and United Airlines already harness Rakuten’s card-connected offers to let shoppers receive rewards for eCommerce or brick-and-mortar shopping.

According to the announcement, a Rakuten study discovered that retailers providing cash back with Rakuten In Store Network had an average 100 percent lift in orders and purchasers in contrast to a control shopper group that was not offered rewards for their shopper activity.

“As contactless payments become the norm, consumer adoption of mobile wallets is growing at a tremendous rate. Delivering merchant offers directly to their phones will be an increasingly important tool for incentivizing consumers to fill their shopping carts,” Erin Warren, general manager at Rakuten In Store Network, said in the announcement.

In separate news, Klarna has debuted Google Pay for in-store purchases in the U.S. per a statement in August. rue21, Journeys and Sephora were some of the first Klarna retailers to provide Google Pay in addition to Apple Pay.