U.K. newspaper The Independent has transformed its eCommerce service through a new partnership with digital payments firm Bolt, the publisher announced in a Wednesday (Sept. 21) press release emailed to PYMNTS.
The Independent has been increasingly diversifying its revenue streams in recent years and became one of the first major U.K. newspapers to transition to fully digital publishing in 2016.
To complement advertising revenue, The Independent launched the IndyBest platform, which allows the company to earn commission on sales generated by clicks from its product reviews and retail news.
Up until now, however, IndyBest readers were directed away from the Independent website to make their purchases. Now, by using Bolt’s one-click “Checkout Everywhere” product, readers can shop directly from editorial content without having to navigate to a different website.
Earlier this month, Bolt’s technology was used during Fashion Week in New York City to help Revolve deliver its omnichannel retail strategy thanks to a QR system that directs customers to an online checkout page.
Read on: Bolt Helps Revolve Offer One-Click Checkout at Fashion Week
Brands available through IndyBest storytelling include Weekday, ARKET, Love Brand & Co, and Molton Brown — and there are “many more to come,” her the release.
“eCommerce is key for The Independent and we see ‘storytelling’ — tying editorial reviews into shopping — as the future,” Sara Recalcati, head of affiliates and eCommerce at The Independent, said in the announcement. “We chose Bolt for this partnership because of its flexible, customizable technology, which means we can make the user experience as seamless as possible. By powering the shop with Bolt, we can let our readers make the most of our editorial content, and shop with great brands without leaving The Independent.”
Calling The Independent “one of the most respected news brands in the world,” Bolt CEO Maju Kurivilla said, “By enabling consumers to seamlessly shop from a curated collection of brands, Bolt Checkout Everywhere is helping to continue to enhance The Independent’s reader experience.”
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