WO1998041939A1

WO1998041939A1 - Merchandising apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: WO1998041939A1
Application number: PCT/AU1998/000171
Authority: WO
Inventors: Geoffrey Vaughan Henwood
Original assignee: Geoffrey Vaughan Henwood
Priority date: 1997-03-17
Filing date: 1998-03-17
Publication date: 1998-09-24
Also published as: AUPO568697A0

Abstract

Potential buyers entering a participating store may be made aware of the current value of a first prize by virtue of a display (2) and are informed by appropriate means that purchasing goods and/or services will give them an opportunity to win that prize, or part of that prize. In a simple form of the invention, a buyer of goods in the store will be given one or more tokens (depending upon the amount spent by that buyer), the tokens being adapted for use in one or more machines (7) accessible either in the store or at another address. The machines (7) may, on actuation, display a randomly or pseudo randomly selected combination of symbols of which certain combinations are 'prize-winning'. Alternatively machines (7) may be of the kind which selects a number 'n' at random within a predetermined numerical range (e.g. 6 digits) and stores it in a memory but dose not display the selected number, and then counts successive 'plays' declaring the nth player as the winner. Whatever means is used to provide a finite chance of the first prize to be won by a buyer, a 'prize-winner' is thereby identified and becomes entitled to the prize displayed at the instant of winning. The prize accumulator is then reset (and if required a new random number is selected) and a new prize commences to accumulate.

Description

TITLE: MERCHANDISING APPARATUS AND METHOD

This invention relates to apparatus and method for use in merchandising and for promoting the sale of goods and services.

Sales promotion schemes are well-known in which purchasers are awarded

points, coupons or the like with each purchase and become entitled to a prize after a

predetermined number of coupons have been accumulated. So called "Thrift"

coupons and "Frequent Flyer" schemes exemplify this kind of promotion. In general,

each coupon corresponds to a small discount on the purchase price of goods

purchased. Such systems are advantageous for the vendor, since customers are

thereby encouraged to return to the same store over a long period of time to gain

sufficient coupons for a prize and customer loyalty is encouraged. However,

customers readily assess the value of prizes and the amount of expenditure required to

attain a prize and so such schemes tend to be perceived as a reward for fidelity and do

not motivate purchasers either to advance a future purchase or to buy on impulse.

It is also well-known to promote the sale of individual goods by having the

purchaser return a label which acts as a lottery ticket giving the purchaser a very small

chance of winning a very valuable prize, for example the purchaser of a jar of coffee

might have a very small chance of winning an automobile. This form of promotion

has proven to be effective but suffers from the disadvantage that there is a long delay

between the date of purchase and the date upon which the outcome of the lottery is

known, which reduces its effectiveness as a motivating force in a consumer society

increasingly oriented towards instant gratification. Moreover, such promotions are usually product specific, involve long lead times through the distribution chain and,

once in place, are inflexible.

It has also been practiced to give away a scratch lotto card to persons who

purchase goods above a predetermined value. By this method the purchaser gains a

predetermined probability of winning a prize which may correspond to a very large

discount or which may gently exceed the value of goods purchased. Although the

probability of winning a major prize may be low, the possibility of winning a very

valuable prize by making a small purchase has proven to be more successful than are

coupon schemes in motivating buyers to buy immediately. That is to say, some

people are more highly motivated by a small probability of winning a large prize than

by a high probability (or certainty) of winning a lesser prize.

A disadvantage of utilising scratch lotto systems for sales promotion is that it

involves risks for the promoter. For example all the major prizes may be won early in

the promotion in which case shoppers are not motivated and in an extreme case the

shopkeeper may not cover the cost of the promotion.

As disclosed in the corresponding and published International Application No.

WO/9618174 (PCT/AU95/00819) it has recently been known to utilise means for

providing a purchaser of goods and services with a finite chance of winning a prize

which is displayed to the purchaser, wherein the prize value is increased in response to

the number or value of selected sales that result in the finite chance being obtained.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus

including: register means for recording data indicative of purchases of goods and/or services by a buyer;

means for displaying a prize value indicative of a first prize available to be won by the buyer;

means for varying the prize value in response to a predetermined algorithm; and

means for providing the buyer with a first finite chance of winning the, or part of

the first prize.

Preferably, the algorithm is responsive to the data indicative of the sales of the

goods and/or services. However, in other embodiments the algorithm varies the prize

value independently of the sales of the goods and/or services that result in the finite

chance being obtained. Examples of the latter are where the algorithm is responsive

to time and/or an historical record of sales, as opposed to those sales which are

currently being generated.

Preferably also, once the buyer exercises a finite chance of winning he or she

obtains immediately feedback as to whether they have been successful in winning the,

or part of the prize.

In a preferred form, when the buyer purchases a selected good and/or service

they are provided with a second finite chance of winning a second prize. More

preferably, the second finite chance is greater than the first finite chance. Most

preferably, the second prize includes an encouragement for the buyer to purchase a

good and/or service which is respectively competing with the selected good and/or

service. Preferably also, the second prize is a discount on the purchase of said competing

goods and/or services. More preferably, the second prize is a sample of said competing goods and/or services.

Preferably, the algorithm increases the prize value over time by varying

amounts, and decrements the prize value in response to a buyer winning the, or part of,

the first prize. In some embodiments the algorithm increments the prize value in

response to anticipated value of sales of said goods and services at said register. As a

further feature, the algorithm can also anticipate a buyer winning part of the first prize

whereby the prize value is only progressively incremented. In other embodiments the

prize value is incremented at spaced intervals in time up to a predetermined limit and

thereafter decremented and incremented to maintain the prize value at or about said

predetermined limit until a buyer wins the or part of the prize and reduces the prize

value to less than a second predetermined limit.

Preferably, a plurality of said apparatus are disposed in separate retail outlets

and are linked for displaying the same prize value.

In a preferred form, the buyer determines when to exercise their finite chances.

More preferably, the buyer must exercise their finite chances within a predetermined

time following the purchase of said goods and/or services.

Preferably, a buyer need not purchase goods and/or services to acquire one or

more of said first finite chance of winning the or part of the first prize. That is, the

buyer can simply purchase the one or more chances. According to a second aspect the present invention there is provided an

apparatus for motivating a potential buyer to purchase goods and/or services, the

apparatus including:

a plurality of register means for issuing respective first signals indicative of

purchases of goods and/or services by the buyer;

means for displaying a prize value indicative of a first prize available to be won

by the buyer;

means responsive to a predetermined algorithm for selectively varying the prize

value; and

means for providing the buyer with at least a first finite chance of winning the

first prize.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of sales

promotion including the steps of:

recording on a register means data indicative of purchases of goods and/or

services by a buyer;

displaying a prize value indicative of a first prize available to be won by the

buyer;

varying the prize value in response to a predetermined algorithm; and

providing the buyer with at least a first finite chance of winning the or part of

the prize.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method for

motivating a potential buyer to purchase goods and/or services, the method including

the steps of: providing a plurality of registers for issuing respective first signals indicative of purchases of goods and/or services by the buyer;

displaying a prize value indicative of a first prize available to be won by the buyer;

selectively varying the prize value in response to a predetermined algorithm; and

providing the buyer with at least a first finite chance of winning the prize.

Preferably, the prize value is all available to be won by a single buyer.

However, in alternative embodiments a buyer is only entitled to win the lessor of a

predetermined prize or the first prize. If the buyer is successful the prize value is

decremented by the amount won by the buyer.

Preferably also, the first finite chance is exercised by the buyer actuating a

terminal remote from the register means, wherein the terminal is responsive to the first

signals for verifying the actuation. More preferably, the buyer is provided with one or

more tokens of encoded cards at said register which are used to actuate the terminal.

In preferred embodiments, the number of opportunities accorded to a buyer to

win the or part of the first prize increases with the value of goods and/or services

purchased.

In highly preferred embodiments of the invention the registers are cash registers

and may be located in one or more locations within a store and in one or more

participating stores. The prize value may be indicated in a display associated with

each cash register and/or may be displayed at one or more other locations in the store

or participating stores. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, buyers are provided with a finite

chance for winning the first prize by being given one or more tokens or encoded cards

at the cash register where a sale to them is recorded, and which gives them one or

more opportunities to "play" an electronic gaming machine or other "game machine",

which provides a finite but random or pseudo random chance for becoming a "winner"

of, or part of the prize. However, other means for determining prize winners among

buyers may be employed.

The number of opportunities to "play" accorded to buyers is generally

determined by the amount spent and the opportunities may be required to be exercised

within a predetermined time.

Preferred embodiments of the invention differ from game machine systems in

which players at each of a number of game machines cause a prize to increment by a

predetermined constant amount each time one of the machines is played. In contrast,

in the present invention, the prize value increments by a variable amount which

depends upon one or more of: time; anticipated sales; total resources allocated to the

prizes; the size of the prize value; or the store in which the goods and/or services are

purchased. A second difference is that with linked gaming machines, the action of

actuating one machine simultaneously results in both a player having the opportunity

to win a prize and, if the player loses, the prize being incremented. In preferred

embodiments of the present invention, the prize can be incremented independently of

a buyer making a purchase. Moreover, the buyer's opportunity to win the prize may

occur separately and subsequently. A further difference is that in preferred embodiments the present invention

provides for a prize to be decremented if a credit is issued at one of the participating

cash registers.

It will be appreciated that the term "prize" can be used to mean, without

limitation, a cash reward, discount or other inducement.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus

including:

register means for providing data indicative of purchases of goods and/or

services by a buyer;

by the buyer;

means for varying the prize value in response to a predetermined algorithm;

means responsive to said data for providing the buyer with a first finite chance

of winning the, or part of the first prize.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of sales

promotion including the steps of:

recording data indicative of purchases of goods and/or services by a buyer;

displaying a prize value indicative of a first prize available to be won by the

buyer; varying the prize value in response to a predetermined algorithm; and

providing the buyer with at least a first finite chance of winning the, or part of

the prize in response to said data. Preferably, the purchase goods and/or services includes the purchase of said first

finite chance. More preferably, one or more first finite chances can be purchased

without the purchase of any other goods and/or services. However, in this

circumstance, it is preferable that the data includes information that the purchase was

only of one or more of the first finite chance.

More preferably, the means for displaying includes a plurality of visual displays

located in respective retail outlets wherein each visual display provides potential

buyers in those outlets with the same prize value.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only,

with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus according to the

invention; and

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of the

apparatus of Figure 1.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1 , a prize accumulator 1

stores a number indicative of a first prize. The prize accumulation register is

associated with one or more displays 2, which may for example be large alphanumeric

display inside and/or outside one or more stores which shows the current value of the

first prize or a close approximation to it, for example a number of dollars rounded off

to the nearest hundred or nearest thousand.

Within the store, or participating stores, are cash registers 3 which are adapted to

transmit to a central computer 4 data signals 5 indicative of the sales transacted at the respective registers. This data can include not only the value of sales but the classes

of goods and/or services purchased by a buyer.

Potential buyers entering a participating store may be made aware of the current

value of the first prize by virtue of display 2 and are informed by appropriate means

that purchasing goods and/or services will give them an opportunity to win that, or

part of that prize. In a simple form of the invention, a buyer of goods in the store will

be given one or more tokens (depending upon the amount spent by that buyer), the

tokens being adapted for use in one or more machines 7 accessible either in the store

or at another address. The machines 7 may, on actuation, display a randomly or

pseudo randomly selected combination of symbols of which certain combinations are

"prize- winning". Alternatively machines 7 may be of the kind which selects a number

"n" at random within a predetermined numerical range (e.g. 6 digits) and stores it in a

memory but does not display the selected number, and then counts successive "plays"

declaring the nth player as the winner. Whatever means is used to provide a finite

chance of the first prize to be won by a buyer, a "prize-winner" is thereby identified

and becomes entitled to the prize displayed at the instant of winning. The prize

accumulator is then reset (and if required a new random number is selected) and a new

prize commences to accumulate.

Other means may be employed by which the first prize may be won. For

example a scratch-card may be issued which is required to be scratched at the sales

register at the time of purchase and which in a predetermined proportion of cases

declares a winner. Another method would involve players pressing a button at the

cash register, or even the registration of a sale itself at the register could be used to count purchasers and to declare an "nth" purchaser as a winner. However, use of

suitably adapted electronic game machines such as those used in some fun parlours are

preferred means for selecting "winners".

A preferred method of determining whether a purchaser wins the prize is to

provide at or adjacent the register a touch-sensitive video screen which selectively

displays an image of a scratch-card or the like. That is, the purchaser can move their

finger across the screen surface to electronically scratch the image and reveal a symbol

combination which may allow them to win the prize. The image is then updated to

allow the next purchaser to perform a similar operation.

In a highly preferred embodiment of the invention each cash register is

electronically connected with a read/write device 8 by means of which data may be

read from or written to a magnetic stripe card 9. In one mode the device writes data to

a paper card bearing a magnetic stripe, the data being indicative of the number of

"plays" to which the buyer has become entitled by virtue of a purchase. Each "play"

provides an opportunity to win the prize. The card may also be encoded with the date

and/or time of the purchase and if desired with other data.

In a second mode the read/write device reads data from an account customer

card or the like (for example a magnetic stripe plastic card) which identifies the

customer and which writes to the card data representing an entitlement to a number of

"plays", depending upon the value of goods purchased. Either type of card may be

inserted in a suitably adapted game machine with provision to read the cards and to

allow the cardholder a number of "plays" in accordance with the data recorded on the

cards. A further alternative involves issuing the purchaser with a coded card, whereby

that code is subsequently entered in one of machines 7 to allow actuation of that

machine. The code can be entered by swiping the card across an appropriate reading

device. Alternatively, the purchaser can enter the code via a keypad.

If a player using machine 7 "wins", the machine may be provided with means 10

for displaying information to that effect, and/or means 11 for printing out information

to that effect, and/or means 12 for crediting an account of a customer electronically

with the amount corresponding to a prize won or a combination of the foregoing. The

customer account data may be held in computer 4 or a different computer.

If desired, certain buyers may be required to use accumulated "play"

entitlements within a predetermined period. Thus, for example, buyers issued with a

first mode type card may be required to use their "play" entitlements on the same day

as they were accumulated, while account customers for example, may have pre-agreed

rights to accumulate points over a period of months or years.

If desired the opportunity to win the prize may be confined to pre-identified

account customers. In that case, cash registers need only have a reading device such

as an EFTPOS terminal. A central computer may then be used to store data indicative

of entitlement to plays acquired by each account holder, and to deduct "plays" utilised.

The machine 7 may also have a read only device which identifies the purchaser and

permits that account holder to play the game a number of times determined in

accordance with the entitlement balance held by the central computer. The machine 7

is adapted to send a signal to the central computer indicative of each play and reducing the remaining entitlement of that account holder to further "plays" in accordance with

"plays" used.

In a preferred embodiment of the means for providing a finite chance for

winning there is provided apparatus which may be actuated for example by a lever or

button or by insertion of a taken or of a data card or by other means which has a

display screen. Upon actuation the apparatus' screen displays at random a

combination of symbols. These symbols may for example be symbols such as

"anchors", "cherries" or the like. However, in preferred embodiments the symbols

displayed may be changeable remotely under control of a computer program and may

represent trade marks or brand names or may illustrate goods available in the store, for

example white goods, soft drinks or the like. These symbols may represent goods

which are to be won or to be promoted. That is, the invention can be used to provide a

chance of winning both the accumulating prize and one or more fixed prizes.

Likewise, if desired, the nature of the game played on various game machines on

a network may be changed under remote control of a computer program.

Any suitable means may be used for networking the cash registers with the prize

accumulator. Any desired number of machines 7 may be connected to the network.

The machines 7 can be modified to include any one or more of the above discussed

features and are considered to be further aspects of the present invention.

If desired, encoded cards may contain additional information e.g. identifying a

store or cash register. Certain buyers about whom demographic information is known

may be provided with club membership cards which identify them as participants and

which may give them special privileges in a manner similar to account holders. For example club members or account holders may be entitled to more "play"

opportunities than non-members to win the prize for each purchase that they make, or

their opportunity to win the prize may be not time restricted. This enables statistical

data to be obtained and recorded showing a demographic breakdown of sales, and the

purchasing preferences of identified customers may be studied.

The invention may also be utilised with purchases made remotely e.g. via home

computers, modems, Infonet or via cable TV systems and the like within the scope of

the invention herein described. In that case the purchasers' terminal may act as both

the register and the machine 7.

The number of opportunities to "play" (i.e. to win a prize) may vary from one

class of customer to another and from one class of goods to another or from one time

to another. The number of plays awarded may be calculated directly at the point of

sale by the cash register terminal or the value (or type) of sales may be recorded and

transmitted to a remote computer the number of "plays" to be awarded being

calculated at the machine 7 at time of "play". The machines 7 need not be located at

the same site as the cash registers. For example, the machines may be located in a

casino. Preferred embodiments of the system provide for the prize to decrease when

credits or returns are recorded at a participating cash register. If desired, the system

may provide for both major and minor prizes of different value.

If desired the system may provide for the prize to be paid to a "winner" in kind

rather than in cash. The number of opportunities to "play" awarded to buyers at the point of sale

may be based on a formula taking account of various factors such as the mix of

purchases, the total sales accumulated at various cash registers and other factors.

Computer 4 includes software which selectively varies the prize value and, in

turn, prize accumulator 1 , in accordance with a predetermined algorithm. In some

embodiments this algorithm is dependent upon the time of day and an historical record

of purchases from the retail outlet or, if a number of outlets are linked, combined

historical purchases from all the outlets. Preferably, the variation of the prize value is

based on an anticipation of purchases.

In an alternative embodiment the prize value is incremented randomly at time

spaced intervals up to a predetermined limit. Thereafter, the prize value is randomly

decremented and incremented by varying amounts to maintain the prize value at or

about the predetermined limit. However, should a buyer win the, or part of, the prize,

and the prize value subsequently falls below a second predetermined limit, the prize is

again randomly incremented.

In some embodiments the predetermined algorithm includes incrementing the

first prize value at the start of each day the retail establishment is trading. Once the

first prize has been won, either by a single buyer or a combination of buyers each

winning part of the prize, the prize value is decreased accordingly. In the case where,

at the start of the trading day, there is a residual amount which had not been won from

the following day it is accumulated together with the incremented amount. In an alternative embodiment the predetermined algorithm anticipates buyers

winning part of the prize such that the prize value is only perceived by potential

buyers as incrementing.

Some embodiments of the invention are configured to be particularly

advantageous for promoting certain goods and/or services provided by the retail outlet.

For example in one such embodiment a second prize is made available. However,

only buyers of a predetermined goods and/or services obtain one or more finite

chances of winning the second prize. Most preferably, the second prize is a sample or discount from the purchase of goods and/or services competing with the

predetermined goods and/or services. To further enhance this feature, the chances of

winning the second prize are high.

In another embodiment the value of the first prize varies up to a preset limit

which is the maximum prize value that the retail outlet is prepared to provide.

An additional feature of the invention is that a buyer need only buy the one or

more finite chance itself rather than any other goods and/or services provided by the

establishment. Moreover, a number of classes of finite chances of winning the or part

of the prize may be offered to the buyer for different respective monetary costs.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 2 where a local

network 21 is used in a single location, at for example, a retail outlet. The network 21,

along with a plurality of like networks 22 and 23 located at other respective retail

outlets, communicates with a central computer 24 for allowing a single prize to be

effectively simultaneously used at all the outlets. Accordingly, the prize can be larger

and/or grow faster due to the larger number outlets over which the costs can be borne. Central computer 24 includes software to vary the prize value in accordance with a predetermined algorithm, as discussed above.

Network 21 includes a site controller in the form of a personal computer 26.

Computer 26 communicates with the registers or other point of sales devices 27 to

extract data indicative of the number of opportunities to win the first and/or the second

prize that have been allocated to a buyer.

For example, the receipt given to the buyer may include a code such as a string

of characters or a bar code which can be subsequently used to generate credits on one

of the terminals 28 provided. For a large purchase the code may allow the generation

of a number of credits and, accordingly, increase the number of finite chances the

buyer obtains to win the prize.

Terminals 28 also communicate with computer 26 for validating the code

entered by the buyer and to provide computer 26 with data indicative of whether or

not the purchaser with that code, after using the terminals, is entitled to the prize

and/or any other fixed prize.

Network 21 also includes a redemption terminal 29 where a winning receipt can

be processed. Again, terminal 29 communicates with computer 26 to validate the

code on the receipt and to confirm whether the holder is entitled to a prize and if so, to

award the prize.

Computer 26 also communicates with a video controller 30 which in turn drives

both a display 31 and a plurality of video screens 32. Display 31 is prominently

mounted to allow both buyers and prospective buyers to view the size of the available

prize. If required more than one display is used. Screens 32 are used to actively promote the prize as well as advertise other

goods and/or services provided at the outlet.

Although the use of only three interlinked networks 21, 22 and 23 has been

described, it is possible to link a greater number. For example, a retail chain can link

all its separate stores throughout a particular region, state or country.

Preferably, terminals 28 in addition to providing a site for the purchaser to

determine whether they have won the prize, provide advertisements about products

and/or services available from the outlet. Moreover, once the purchaser enters the

code they have been allocated the advertising can be chosen in response to the goods

that were purchased. For example, the advertising can reinforce the advantages of the

purchase or, alternatively, canvass the relative merits of competing products.

Such advertising can also be used to inform the purchaser of other outlets where

such products and/or services can be obtained within a greater chance of winning the

prize. This is used to promote sales from a particular outlet.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the teaching hereto, the

invention may be embodied in other forms and features of one embodiment may be

combined with those of another within the scope of the concept disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS:-

1. An apparatus including:

register means for recording data indicative of purchases of goods and/or

services by a buyer;

by the buyer;

means for varying the prize value in response to a predetermined algorithm; and

the first prize.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the algorithm is responsive to the

data indicative of the sales of the goods and/or services.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the algorithm varies the prize value

independently of the sales of the goods and/or services that result in the finite chance

being obtained.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the algorithm is responsive to time

and/or an historical record of sales.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein once the buyer exercises a finite

chance of winning he or she obtains immediately feedback as to whether they have

been successful in winning the, or part of the prize.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein in circumstances where the buyer

purchases a selected good and/or service they are provided with a second finite chance

of winning a second prize.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the second finite chance is greater than the first finite chance.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the second prize includes an

encouragement for the buyer to purchase a good and/or service which is respectively

competing with the selected good and/or service.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the second prize is a discount on the

purchase of said competing goods and/or services.

10. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the second prize is a sample of said

competing goods and/or services.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the algorithm increases the prize

value over time by varying amounts, and decrements the prize value in response to a

buyer winning the, or part of, the first prize.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the algorithm increments the prize

value in response to anticipated value of sales of said goods and services at said

register.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the algorithm also anticipate a

buyer winning part of the first prize whereby the prize value is only progressively

incremented.

14. An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the prize value is incremented at

spaced intervals in time up to a predetermined limit and thereafter decremented and

incremented to maintain the prize value at or about said predetermined limit until a

buyer wins the or part of the prize and reduces the prize value to less than a second

predetermined limit.

15. An apparatus according to claim 1 which is linked to a plurality of like apparatus

which are disposed in separate retail outlets wherein the respective means for displaying display the same prize value.

16. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the buyer determines when to

exercise their finite chances.

17. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the buyer must exercise their finite

chance within a predetermined time following the purchase of said goods and/or

services.

18. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a buyer need not purchase goods

and/or services to acquire one or more of said first finite chance of winning the or part

of the first prize.

19. An apparatus for motivating a potential buyer to purchase goods and/or services,

the apparatus including:

purchases of goods and/or services by the buyer;

by the buyer;

means responsive to a predetermined algorithm for selectively varying the prize

value; and

first prize.

20. A method of sales promotion including the steps of: recording on a register means data indicative of purchases of goods and/or

services by a buyer;

displaying a prize value indicative of a first prize available to be won by the

buyer;

varying the prize value in response to a predetermined algorithm; and

the prize.

21. A method for motivating a potential buyer to purchase goods and/or services, the

method including the steps of:

providing a plurality of registers for issuing respective first signals indicative of

purchases of goods and/or services by the buyer;

displaying a prize value indicative of a first prize available to be won by the

buyer;

providing the buyer with at least a first finite chance of winning the prize.

Preferably, the prize value is all available to be won by a single buyer.

22. A method according to claim 21 wherein a buyer is only entitled to win the

lessor of a predetermined prize or the first prize.

23. A method according to claim 21 wherein if the buyer is successful the prize

value is decremented by the amount won by the buyer.

24. A method according to claim 21 wherein the first finite chance is exercised by

the buyer actuating a terminal remote from the register means, the terminal being

responsive to the first signals for verifying the actuation.

25. A method according to claim 24 wherein the buyer is provided with one or more

tokens of encoded cards at said register which are used to actuate the terminal.

26. A method according to claim 21 wherein the number of opportunities accorded

to a buyer to win the or part of the first prize increases with the value of goods and/or

services purchased.

27. An apparatus including:

register means for providing data indicative of purchases of goods and/or

services by a buyer;

by the buyer;

means for varying the prize value in response to a predetermined algorithm;

of winning the, or part of the first prize.

28. A method of sales promotion including the steps of:

recording data indicative of purchases of goods and/or services by a buyer;

displaying a prize value indicative of a first prize available to be won by the

buyer;

varying the prize value in response to a predetermined algorithm; and

the prize in response to said data.

29. A method according to claim 28 wherein the purchase goods and/or services

includes the purchase of said first finite chance.

30. A method according to claim 30 wherein one or more first finite chances can be

purchased without the purchase of any other goods and/or services.

31. A method according to claim 30 wherein the data includes information that the

purchase was only of one or more of the first finite chance.

32. A method according to claim 31 wherein the means for displaying includes a

plurality of visual displays located in respective retail outlets wherein each visual

display provides potential buyers in those outlets with the same prize value.