Kroger Offering ‘DIY’ Mobile Phones Linked to Loyalty Programs
Kroger shoppers can now buy cell phones featuring “do-it-yourself” activation that reduces customer care and supply chain costs for the Cincinnati-based retailer.
The grocer is using the Telespree solution from San Francisco-based i-wireless — a national wireless solution provider on the nationwide Sprint PCS network — for the offering, which is also integrated into Kroger’s loyalty card program.
“With Telespree, i-wireless customers can activate and start using their phones right away — it's a simple do-it-yourself solution that masks all the complexity of what is actually quite an involved process,” said i-wireless COO John Willis. “The Telespree solution not only provides a convenient option for our customers, but also reduces customer care calls and costs.”
The new service enrollment application allows subscribers to input a ZIP code for a desired service area, create a service passcode, select a calling plan, sign up for monthly credit card billing, activate the device and receive a new phone number on the mobile phone — all without calling customer care, using an interactive voice response system or needing dedicated retail assistance.
As part of the enrollment process, subscribers are also offered the ability to register for Kroger’s loyalty program, which enables them to earn free minutes on their wireless phones by inputting their Shopper’s Card or Reward Card details. Each time subscribers spend $100 in qualifying purchases at a Kroger store, they’ll receive 20 free minutes of airtime on their i-wireless phones. To take advantage of the promotion post-activation, subscribers can go into a dynamic self-care menu on their phones to enroll in the program as well.
Furthermore, Telespree’s service enrollment application provides subscribers with a convenient way to sign up for monthly credit card billing that permits subscribers to automatically pay their monthly service fee using a debit or credit card. The designated card is charged monthly when the fee is due.
The Telespree solution provides a full range of on-device self-service functionality such as activation, service enrollment, self-care/account management, mobile marketing and customer profiling. With these features, carriers are able to minimize customer care and distribution costs while improving the end-user experience.
i-wireless is a national wireless service provider exclusively sold in over 2,200 retail locations within the Kroger family of stores across 31 states.
Cincinnati-based Kroger operates stores under two dozen local banner names, including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food4Less, Fry’s, King Soopers, Smith’s, Dillons, QFC, Baker’s, Gerbes, and City Market.
The grocer is using the Telespree solution from San Francisco-based i-wireless — a national wireless solution provider on the nationwide Sprint PCS network — for the offering, which is also integrated into Kroger’s loyalty card program.
“With Telespree, i-wireless customers can activate and start using their phones right away — it's a simple do-it-yourself solution that masks all the complexity of what is actually quite an involved process,” said i-wireless COO John Willis. “The Telespree solution not only provides a convenient option for our customers, but also reduces customer care calls and costs.”
The new service enrollment application allows subscribers to input a ZIP code for a desired service area, create a service passcode, select a calling plan, sign up for monthly credit card billing, activate the device and receive a new phone number on the mobile phone — all without calling customer care, using an interactive voice response system or needing dedicated retail assistance.
As part of the enrollment process, subscribers are also offered the ability to register for Kroger’s loyalty program, which enables them to earn free minutes on their wireless phones by inputting their Shopper’s Card or Reward Card details. Each time subscribers spend $100 in qualifying purchases at a Kroger store, they’ll receive 20 free minutes of airtime on their i-wireless phones. To take advantage of the promotion post-activation, subscribers can go into a dynamic self-care menu on their phones to enroll in the program as well.
Furthermore, Telespree’s service enrollment application provides subscribers with a convenient way to sign up for monthly credit card billing that permits subscribers to automatically pay their monthly service fee using a debit or credit card. The designated card is charged monthly when the fee is due.
The Telespree solution provides a full range of on-device self-service functionality such as activation, service enrollment, self-care/account management, mobile marketing and customer profiling. With these features, carriers are able to minimize customer care and distribution costs while improving the end-user experience.
i-wireless is a national wireless service provider exclusively sold in over 2,200 retail locations within the Kroger family of stores across 31 states.
Cincinnati-based Kroger operates stores under two dozen local banner names, including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food4Less, Fry’s, King Soopers, Smith’s, Dillons, QFC, Baker’s, Gerbes, and City Market.