WO2009145366A1

WO2009145366A1 - Sales promotion method through the medium of credit cards allowing multiple discounts/benefits

Info

Publication number: WO2009145366A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/002922
Authority: WO
Inventors: Songwon Lee
Original assignee: 3D Media Solutions Korea, Inc.
Priority date: 2008-05-26
Filing date: 2008-05-26
Publication date: 2009-12-03

Abstract

A sales promotion method through a credit card providing multiple discount/benefit is provided. In a first embodiment, if an item that a consumer wants to purchase is the item eligible for multiple discount/benefit and the credit card that the consumer presents to pay is one of a first credit card eligible for the discount/benefit, a first discount is given. Furthermore, if the consumer's credit card is also one of second credit cards eligible for additional benefits as an affiliated card, some additional benefit may be awarded. In a second embodiment, if a first business entity gives a first discount for paying with a specific credit card issues a discount coupon and the consumer presents the discount coupon when paying for an item of a second business entity with the same credit card, some additional discount can be provided. In a third embodiment, an event coupon is issued when giving a first discount for a payment with a specific credit card, and if the consumer subscribes using the identification number on the event coupon, a verification number is provided to the mobile phone, and if the consumer visit a specific post and presents the verification number shown in the mobile phone, the additional benefit is given on check. The present invention enables diversifying and differentiating marketing types by allowing multiple discount/benefit for a specific credit card.

Description

SALES PROMOTION METHOD THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF CREDIT CARDS ALLOWING MULTIPLE DISCOUNTS/

BENEFITS

Technical Field

[1] The invention relates to a method for performing a differentiated marketing strategy using a discount program of credit card and associated coupons or events, and more particularly, to a method for promoting selling of commodity and/or service in which the marketing can be differentiated and diversified by granting multiple discounts for a specific credit card. Background Art

[2] Credit cards are being used widely as a paying means. Credit card company or commodity sellers sometimes give a discount for paying by a specific credit card in order to attract more customers.

[3] A traditional representative method for allowing a discount in case of paying by a credit card was disclosed in a Korean patent application 10- 2002-0031999 (Title: System and method of allowing selective or automatic discount for paying by a credit card). The prior art discloses that, when a consumer requests to pay by a credit card for a purchased commodity or service in an affiliated store, a final paying amount is processed to be a discounted amount according to whether the purchased commodity or service is one of the discounted items and/or whether the credit card is one of the credit cards for which a discount is allowed.

[4] However, since a one-time single-rated discount only is applied to a specific credit card in traditional methods, it was not effective enough for marketing with various kinds of credit card. Particularly, the traditional methods had limitations to perform a marketing using properties of affiliated cards discussed below.

[5] The credit cards can be categorized mainly into 'affiliated cards' and 'non- affiliated cards'. Non- affiliated cards are issued independently by a card company without any affiliation with other business entities in issuing or marketing. They include Samsung card, Sinhan card, Kookmin card, etc., general purpose cards from various card companies, in which usually the name of the card company is used as a brand name of the card. Affiliated cards are issued by a specific card company by affiliating with other business entities in issuing and/or marketing promotion. The affiliated cards are pretty diversified. The representative affiliated cards include cards issued by a domestic card company affiliating with a foreign card company, such as credit cards (for instance, Kookmin- Visa card, Sinhan-Master card, Samsung- American Express card, etc.) issued by a local credit card company (for instance, Samsung card, Sinhan card, Kookmin card, Hyundai card, etc.) affiliating with an international credit card company (for instance, Visa, Master, Dyners, American Express, etc.). Besides, some cards (for instance, Lotte-Skypass affiliated card, Hyundai-SK Enclean affiliated card, Samsung-Emart affiliated card, BC-OK CASHBAG affiliated card, etc.) are issued by affiliations between a card company and a non-card company (for instance, airliners, refineries, distributing companies, marketing companies, etc.). In Korea, most of the cards are issued as affiliated cards for promoting the cards by providing various benefits to the consumers.

[6] Since an affiliated card has an affiliation among a plurality of brands (business entities) as a background as discussed above, each of the issuers needs to independently perform various marketing promotions such as providing benefits for increasing sales through encouraging usage of the credit card. However, the prior arts could not cover such properties or demands of affiliated cards.

[7] It is one of well-known marketing methods that each credit card issuer cooperates with a specific business entity and gives a discounting benefit. Therefore, it is very limited in such marketing methods to attract the customers further. Consumers want to receive more convenient and effective discounting benefits. From this kind of point of view, an improved sales promotion method for increasing the customers' loyalty for a specific card is needed. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[8] An object of the invention is to provide a sales promotion method through multiple discount/benefit credit card, in which an affiliated credit card issued by an affiliation of a plurality of business entities, and each of the affiliated business entities can perform sales promotion independently and cooperatively by allowing each of the affiliated business entities to apply its own sales promotion program such as discount.

[9] Another object of the invention is to provide a sales promotion method through multiple discount/benefit credit card, in which an additional benefit besides the discount on the purchasing amount of the consumer by a plurality of affiliated sellers is provided through a discount coupon or event coupon affiliated with a specific credit card, and the consumer's loyalty can be increased through the upgraded discount benefits. Technical Solution

[10] To achieve the above goals, in the present invention, a sales promotion method through a multiple discount/benefit credit card is provided, the method comprising steps of: (i) loading data for items and credit cards for multiple discount/benefits and criteria for the multiple discount/benefits in a database of a computer system; (ii) determining whether an item that a consumer wants to purchase is one of the items for the multiple discount/benefits and whether a payment card chosen for payment by the consumer is a first credit card or a check card for the multiple discount/benefits; (iii) calculating a first discount amount according to a predetermined discount criteria for the multiple discount/benefit-applicable items when the two conditions are satisfied; and (iv) providing additional benefits to the consumer when the payment card of the consumer satisfies a specific condition.

[11] In the sales promotion method, the specific condition is satisfied if the consumer's payment card is an affiliated card with a plurality of card brands which includes not only the first credit card or check card but also a second credit card or check card which is eligible additionally for the multiple discount/benefits. The additional benefits provided in the step (iv) comprises one out of a group consisting of additional discount of a predetermined amount for a price of the item for multiple discount/benefits, a mileage point, a gift, and a discount ticket, and the additional benefit may be provided in a shopping store or other posts.

[12] According to other embodiment of the sales promotion method, the step (iv) may comprise steps of: issuing a discount coupon corresponding to the price of the multiple discount/benefit item in real time and storing a history of issuing the discount coupon in a database when the sales price reflecting the first discount is paid by the consumer's payment card; sharing the history of issuing the discount coupon with a second seller's system which affiliates with the first seller and performs the marketing with the multiple discount/benefit together; and providing an additional discount by a predetermined amount assigned to the discount coupon for the item purchased in the second seller's store when the payment card that the consumer chose to pay for the item in the second seller's store is read by the second seller's system and turned out to be eligible for the additional benefits.

[13] According to another embodiment of the sales promotion method, the step (iv) may comprise steps of: issuing an event coupon corresponding to the price of the multiple discount/benefit item in real time and storing a history of issuing the event coupon in a database when the sales price reflecting the first discount is paid by the consumer's payment card; sharing the history of issuing the event coupon with a system of the event hosting company which affiliates with the first seller and performs the marketing with the multiple discount/benefit together; transmitting, in a consumer's mobile phone, an identification number on the event coupon along with his/her own mobile phone number to the system of the event hosting company through a communication means in order to subscribe for the event; and transmitting a verification number or code to the mobile phone of the subscriber when the identification number of the event coupon received by the system of the event hosting company is verified, and the consumer can have the additional benefits by visiting a predetermined post and showing the verification number or code in his/her mobile phone.

[14] On the other hand, according to an embodiment of the invention, provided is a sales promotion method allowing multiple discount/benefit for affiliated cards having a plurality of card brands, which were issued by affiliation of a plurality of business entities. The sales promotion method comprises steps of: loading data for items and credit cards for multiple discount/benefits and criteria for the multiple discount/ benefits in a database of a computer system; reading an identification number of an item a consumer wants to purchase, searching the database for the identification number, and determining whether the item belongs to the multiple discount/benefit items; reading information of a payment card chosen by the consumer for payment, searching the database for the information, and determining whether the payment card is a first credit card or a check card for the multiple discount/benefits; if the consumer's payment card is an affiliated card with a plurality of card brands which is not only a first credit card or check card eligible for the multiple discount/benefit but also a second credit card or check card, calculating a first discount amount for the first credit card or check card according to the multiple discount/benefit criteria, and calculating an additional second discount amount for the second credit card or check card according to the multiple discount/benefit criteria; and calculating a payment amount by subtracting the first discount amount and the second discount amount from a price of the item that the consumer wants to purchase.

[15] According to another embodiment of the invention, provided is a sales promotion method, in which a first seller and a second seller affiliates with each other and allow a multiple discount/benefit through a specific payment card and a discount coupon. The sales promotion method comprises steps of: loading data for items and credit cards for multiple discount/benefits and criteria for the multiple discount/benefits in a database of a computing system of the first seller; reading an identification number of a first item a consumer wants to purchase, searching the database for the identification number, and determining whether the first item belongs to the multiple discount/ benefit items; reading information of a payment card chosen by the consumer for payment, searching the database for the information of the payment card, and determining whether the payment card is a first credit card or a check card for the multiple discount/benefits; and if the consumer's payment card is a multiple discount/ benefit card, calculating a first discount amount for the multiple discount/benefit item according to the multiple discount/benefit criteria, calculating a payment amount by subtracting the first discount amount from the price of the first item, and issuing in real time a discount coupon eligible for an additional discount from the second seller. Also, the sales promotion method comprises: determining, in a computing system of the second seller, whether the payment card is a multiple discount/benefit card; and reading an identification number of the discount coupon, and if the identification number is verified, calculating a payment amount by subtracting the discount amount on the discount coupon from a price of the second item.

[16] The sales promotion method may further comprise a step of sharing, by the computing systems of the first and second sellers, discount coupon related information including an identification number of the discount coupon, a discount amount, and an expiration date before or after an issuance of the discount coupon.

[17] According to still another embodiment of the invention, provided is a sales promotion method, which allows a multiple discount/benefit through a specific payment card and an event coupon. The sales promotion method comprises steps of: loading data for items and credit cards for multiple discount/benefits and criteria for the multiple discount/benefits in a database of the computing system of a seller; reading an identification number of the item that a consumer wants to purchase, searching the database for the identification number, and determining whether the item belongs to the multiple discount/benefit items; reading information of a payment card chosen by the consumer for payment, searching the database for the information of the payment card, and determining whether the payment card is a multiple discount/benefit card; and if the consumer's payment card is a multiple discount/benefit card, calculating a first discount amount for the multiple discount/benefit item according to the multiple discount/benefit criteria, calculating a payment amount by subtracting the first discount amount from the price of the item, and issuing in real time an event coupon eligible for an additional benefit. In addition, the sales promotion method comprises: transmitting, in a consumer's mobile phone, an identification number on the event coupon along with his/her own mobile phone number to the system of the event hosting company through a communication means in order to subscribe for the event; transmitting a verification number or code to the mobile phone of the subscriber; and giving an additional benefits to the consumer when the verification number or code in his/her mobile phone is verified in a predetermined post.

[18] In the sales promotion method in the above, the consumer logs on to a homepage of the event hosting company's system, and subscribes to the event using a computer or a short messaging service (SMS) of the mobile phone. The sales promotion method may further comprise a step of sharing, by computing systems of the first seller and the event hosting company, event coupon related information including an identification number of the event coupon and an expiration date of the event coupon before or after an issuance of the event coupon. Advantageous Effects

[19] The following advantages can be obtained from the invention. According to a first embodiment of the invention, since a plurality of discount programs can be applied for a single credit card so as to provide a multiple discount (in prior arts, only one discount program was applied), more customers can be attracted, contributing to increasing of the sales (fees) of a credit card company. Furthermore, the frequency of using the credit card promoted by embodiments of the invention may be increased among many credit cards of a consumer, such that eventually the consumer can be guided to use the credit card as a main credit card. Also, since as for a credit card issued by affiliation of a plurality of business entities each of them can practice their own discount program according to their own needs and ways, a co-marketing for the affiliated credit card can be performed in various ways. Each affiliated entity may strengthen the marketing independently.

[20] A second embodiment of the invention enables promoting of the co-marketing beneficial to everyone through discount cards or discount coupons among different business entities or industries, in addition to the effects discussed above, diversifying and differentiating of marketing may be possible.

[21] A third embodiment of the invention, in addition to the above, enables to encourage the customers to re- visit the affiliated stores through the provision of the gifts or discount tickets to them. Brief Description of the Drawings

[22] Fig. 1 is an exemplary block diagram illustrating a multiple discount/benefit system

(10) according to an embodiment of the invention;

[23] Fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a sales promotion method through a multiple discount/benefit providing affiliated cards according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[24] Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a sales promotion method for affiliated sellers through a multiple discount/benefit providing affiliated cards and discount coupons according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[25] Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a sales promotion method through a multiple discount/benefit providing affiliated cards and event coupons according to a third embodiment of the invention; and

[26] Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating various field structures for databases which are needed for a multiple discount/benefit selling method according to embodiments of the invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[27] Fig. 1 is an exemplary block diagram illustrating a multiple discount/benefit system (10) according to an embodiment of the invention. The multiple discount/benefits system (10) environment in Fig. 1 shows all the combined resources for the first to third embodiments of the invention. Each embodiment does not have to need every illustrated resource.

[28] First, a provider of a commodity (or service) may include a main seller (100) and an affiliated seller (200) performing an affiliated marketing with the main seller (100). The main seller (100) may be large scale distributors such as Wal-Mart, CARREFOUR, or E-mart, for representative examples. A selling system of the main seller (100) provides a server (110) and one or more sales amount calculator (130) installed at cash registers. Each sales amount calculator (130) is connected with a network (150) so as to exchange data with the server (110).

[29] The server (110) comprises: a database server (120) for storing and managing various databases (DB) which are related to discount items, discount cards, sales, coupon- issuing, event-providing, affiliated companies, etc.; a communication module (124) for communicating with the sales amount calculator (130); and a central processing unit (122) for performing necessary calculations and processes. The database server (120) may includes, for example, discount item information DB, discount card information DB, discount coupon information DB, event coupon information DB, sales information DB, customer information DB, dealer information DB, affiliated company information DB, etc.

[30] The sales amount calculator (130) exchanges information with the server (110), obtains information on sales price of an item, whether the item is in the list of items for discount, discount amount, etc. using identification number of the item, calculates the sales price based on the obtained information, and obtains information on credit check and whether the item is in the list of items for discount through the card information read from a card reader. A preferable embodiment of the sale-amount calculator (130) may include a point-of-sale (POS) system. The sales amount calculator (130) may include central processing unit (132) for performing calculation of the sales amount, the discount amount, etc. and controlling other devices by means of executing programs; a printer (140) for printing a receipt (180), a discount coupon (160), and an event coupon (170); a keyboard (142); a display (138); and a communication module (146) for communicating with the server (110). Also, the sales amount calculator (130) may include a card reader (134) for reading the card information of a credit card that a customer uses and a barcode reader (136) for reading barcode information, which is identification information given uniquely to the item . These devices are connected so as to be controlled by the central processing unit (132). The card reader (134) is connected to a computer system (400, 500) of the credit card company through a network (450). [31] An affiliated seller (200) is equipped with a cash register or a POS system comprising a calculator (210), a card reader (220), a barcode reader (230), etc. for calculating sales amount, processing payment, and performing co-marketing.

[32] A consumer (300) may have a mobile phone (310) or a PC (320) for subscribing for an event. The mobile phone (310) may communicate, for example, text messages with a event managing server (370), and the PC (320) may access a homepage of the event provider through an Internet (360) and exchange necessary information.

[33] <First Embodiment

[34] Fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a promotion method through a multiple discount/ benefit providing affiliated cards according to a first embodiment of the invention. This embodiment enables each of a plurality of business entities to apply her own independent discount program when an issuance of a credit card that the purchaser uses for payment was participated by the plurality of business entities. For example, consider a case in which the purchaser's credit card is a 'Samsung Visa Card' issued by 'Samsung Card Company', a Korean local card company, which is affiliated with 'Visa Card Company', an international card company. Further, consider that the purchaser chose an item in, for example, E-mart, a large scale distributor store in Korea, and pays at a counter. This kind of large-scale distributor store is equipped with a server (110) and a plurality of POS system (130) installed on each counters.

[35] For example, consider that E-mart is applying a discount program for a specific card, for example, 'Visa card' in which some discount is applied uniformly to 'Visa Card'. Of course, another discount program for any other credit card, for example, 'Master Card' with a different discount rate can be applied at the same time. The discount programs can be applied to all of the items in the store, or limitedly only to items manufactured by a specific manufacturers.

[36] A cashier reads a barcode, an identification number of an item the purchaser buys, with a barcode reader (136) at a counter (Sl 10). After reading the item's identification number, the cashier reads a card information of, for example, 'Samsung Card' the purchaser presents for payment using the card reader (134) (Sl 12). These two steps are performed always in a payment process using a credit card. The read identification number of item is transmitted to the server (110) and determined if the item is a discounting item (Sl 14). If there is a discounting item among the purchased items, the discount amount (or discount rate) information of the item is returned to the POS system (130) on a counter from the server (110). Also, the read card information (for example, card prefix information) is transmitted to the server (110), and then determined if the card is eligible for a discount program of the store (Sl 16).

[37] On reading, since the consumer's credit card is a 'Visa card' that is eligible for the E- mart's discount program, a uniform discount can be applied to the sales price of the discounting item ('Step 1 discount'). The POS system (130) on the counter calculates the discount amount based on the information returned from the server (110) (Sl 18).

[38] The Step 1 discount is a discount program related to 'Visa card'. Next, it is determined if another discount program ('Step 2 discount') related to 'Samsung card' is eligible. For this, the POS system (130) consults with the server (110) about whether the consumer's credit card is eligible for a special discount. If the 'Samsung card' is eligible for the special discount program, the server (110) returns a discount rate according to the discount program to the corresponding POS system (130), and the POS system (130) calculates the discount amount for the Step 2 discount based on the provided discount rate (S 122).

[39] The POS system (130) adds up the Step 1 discount amount and the Step 2 discount amount to calculate a total discount amount, and then calculates a final payment amount by subtracting the total discount amount from the sales price of the item (S 124). Then, a payment approval procedure is processed through a VAN system (460). In the payment approval procedure, each computer system (400, 500) of a credit card company is provided with information on the discount as well as details of the payment approval procedure. Once approved, the POS system (130) prints out a receipt such that the calculated discount details and the payment amount are shown on the receipt (S 126).

[40] The server (110) stores in advance in a DB information on discounting items and credit cards for such a Step 2 discount. The information on the discounting items, as shown in Fig. 5 for example, may include information specifying the discounting items such as a discount ID, item name, item code, etc., information on discount amount such as quantity and discount amount per unit quantity and information on the discount program practice such as discount program period, handling fee, discount types, etc. The information on the discounting credit cards, as shown in Fig. 5 for example, may include information specifying the credit cards such as a discount card ID, card company name, card prefix, etc., and information on the discount program such as discount rate, discount program period, etc.

[41] Also, the server (110) organizes the information on details of discount and payment into a DB of product sales information. The product sales information DB may include, for example, information on the discount program such as discount ID, discount date, discount time, discount type, etc., information on details of the discount such as item name, item code, sales amount, unit price, sales amount, discount amount, card ID, etc., and information on POS ID for managing other details of transactions. Furthermore, information on a transaction profile according to the Step 2 discount can be obtained by combining the discount item information, the discount card information, and the product sales information. The transaction profile table may include, as shown in Fig. 5 for an example, ID, store code, POS ID, card ID, item code, sales amount, unit price, sales income, discount amount, discount date, discount time, discount ID, discount type, etc. Such transaction profile tables can be used for pre- and post- transaction management and marketing analysis.

[42] A cost for performing the Step 1 discount program may be paid by manufacturers of the discounting items, and a cost for performing the Step 2 discount program may be paid by the corresponding credit card company. However, who pays the cost may be determined by an agreement among the affiliated entities.

[43] Even though two steps of discount program were described in the above, it does not have to be limited to the cases. Discount programs of other entities such as manufacturers or other affiliated companies for an example can be added to the discount program and performed as a multiple discount program. The Step 2 discount may be provided as one of forms of, for example, a point mileage or other type of benefits. Also, even though the above embodiments were described with the Visa card - Samsung card affiliation, it does not have to be limited to it (for example, Master card - BC card affiliation is also possible), and even the entities are not limited to card companies, but, for example, a business entities which provide a mileage membership service such as OK CASHBAG can be affiliated (for example, BC card - OK CASHBAG affiliation is possible).

[44] Since this kind of multiple discount sales method can give more discounts to consumers, the consumer can be encouraged to use the corresponding credit card more frequently. Also, sellers or credit card companies can enjoy upgraded marketing effect compared to competitors. Mode for the Invention

[45] <Second Embodiment

[46] Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a sales promotion method for affiliated sellers through a multiple discount/benefit providing affiliated cards according to a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a main seller (100) and an affiliated seller (200) affiliate with each other and perform a common marketing through discount programs. Here, there is no limit to combining the main seller (100) and the affiliated seller (200), but, for example, combining of a large-scale distributor store such as E-mart and a specific gas station around the area can be considered as a representative combination in this embodiment, which is going to be the case for the disclosure below.

[47] In the second embodiment, a Step 1 discount procedure (S210 through S218) for discounting uniformly for a specific credit card goes through the same procedure (Sl 10 through Sl 18) for the Step 1 discount in the first embodiment, an additional benefit (that is, Step 2 discount) after the Step 1 discount is performed differently from the first embodiment. This is going to be explained in detail.

[48] When a consumer wants to pay in a store (for example, E-mart) for a discounting item using a specific credit card (for example, Visa card) that is eligible for discount, a Step 1 discount amount for the item is calculated according to a discount program for the credit card through S210 through S218, and then the discount amount is reflected into a sales price of the item for payment (S220).

[49] After applying the Step 1 discount, an additional discount which the affiliated seller

(200) provides is applied. The additional discount is provided through a discount coupon (330). More specifically, a POS system (130) issues a discount coupon (330) corresponding to the sales price of the discounting item (S222). Alternatively, the discount coupon can be issued based on the total purchasing amount for the entire purchasing items which includes the discounting item. This discount coupon (330) is printed out along with a receipt showing details of the discount (S226). Information on sales and information issuance of discount coupons are transmitted to the server (110) and stored in the product sales information DB and the discount coupon information DB respectively. The discount coupon (330) may be printed on a portion for discount coupon on a receipt (180). In this case, the receipt (180) may work as the discount coupon (330). The discount coupon (330) is recorded with a bar code with a discounts coupon ID, discount card information, an issuer, an effective period, additional discount amount, affiliated company (store) information, etc. In issuing the discount coupon (330), it is preferable that the discount coupon identification number (ID) is differentiated by the date, such that the effective period of the discount coupon (330) can be managed using the ID of the discount coupon (330). It is also preferable that the bar code printed on the discount coupon (330) includes the information on the discount amount, such that on scanning the barcode the discount amount can be read immediately.

[50] The additional discount associated with the discount coupon (330) can be applied when a consumer with the discount coupon (330) purchases an item at a store of the affiliated seller (200) who affiliates in issuing of the discount coupon. That is, the consumer with the discount coupon (330) purchases an item at a store of an affiliated seller (for example, a gas station in the area) of the main seller (for example, E-mart), and presents the discount coupon (330) and a specific discounting card (for example, Visa card) which was used when the discount coupon (330) was issued. Then, the affiliated seller (200) determines whether the presented credit card is eligible for the additional discount program using a cash register or a card reader (220) in the POS system (S230). In case of a discounting card, scanning the barcode printed on the discount coupon (330) with a barcode reader (230), the identification number of the discount coupon (330) is checked and verified (S232). Once verified as being genuine, the calculator (210) processes paying by subtracting the discount amount allowed in the discount coupon (330) from the payment of the consumer, and prints out a receipt which shows the discount amount (S236).

[51] In order to give an additional discount benefit, a mileage point may be awarded to consumers instead of issuing the discount coupon (330). The mileage point may be configured to be usable for both of the main seller (100) and the affiliated seller (200).

[52] For the Step 2 discount the server (110) of the main seller (100) manages the discount coupon DB. The identification number (ID) of the discount coupon is registered in this DB beforehand, and the DB stores the ID provided at the time of issuing of the discount coupon (330) and information related to the issuance mentioned in the above (for example, discount card information, issuer, effective period, additional discount amount, affiliated company information, etc.). The main seller (100) and the affiliated seller (200) affiliate with each other for a co-marketing through the discount coupon (330), and share the information on the issued discount coupon (330). The information of the discount coupon to share includes, for example, effective information, discount amount information, identification number information, etc. When there is a discount for a specific item, information on who pays for the discount amount needs to be provided further. One method to share the discount coupon information is to share related information before issuing of the discount coupon (330). That is, before the issuance of the discount coupon (330), the discount coupon information is determined in advance and shared by affiliated parties, and the main seller (100) issues the discount coupon based on the information, and the affiliated seller (200) reads and verifies the discount coupon information based on the information. There is another method to share the related information after the issuance of the discount coupon. That is, the discount coupon information that the main seller (100) issued is stored in the discount coupon information DB, and the DB is allowed to be accessed by the system of the affiliated seller (200) in real rime, or the discount coupon information is provided periodically to the system of the affiliated seller (200).

[53] This second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment in giving multiple discount benefits for a specific credit card. But, it is different in that the additional discount benefit is given in different business or industry group through the discount coupon (330). The second embodiment enables co-marketing or promotions among different business entities or industry groups which give benefits to every party of them through the credit card and the discount coupon (330). That is, through a systematic issuance of discount coupons associated with a specific credit card, business entities related with one another in region or industrial relationship perform consecutive multiple discount programs together. Each card company provides co- marketing program suitable for itself based on the multiple discount program concept, so as to be more competitive in winning the consumers by active promoting the program. From the point of view of the consumers, it is highly probable for them to use the discount program since they can get an additional discount in, for example, a gas station by purchasing at, for example, a distributor store. The higher the usability of the consumers, the more benefits all of the affiliated get from the co-marketing through the multiple discounts program according to the second embodiment. It is a problem of choice who would pay for the discount amount out of the affiliated of the co-marketing (for example, a main seller, an affiliated seller, item manufacturer, a credit card company).

[54] There has been a marketing method which provided a discount coupon. In such a prior art, however, a necessary number of discount coupons is predicted in advance, a discount coupon book is printed, a sales clerk of the main seller (100) provides the consumer directly with the discount coupon prepared in advance, and the consumer revisits the store and presents the coupon he collected while paying to get a discount. In this method, the steps for printing of the discount coupon book, providing of the discount coupon, using of the coupon, and applying of the discount are all disconnected, resulting in a very low connectivity. Also, it is very hard to manage whether the discount coupon is provided properly, and the quantity of discount coupons prepared in advance may turn out to be in short or too many. Also, the discount coupon is usable only to the main seller, but not to other business or industry, such that they could not be used as a means for various co-marketing.

[55] In contrast, in the second embodiment of the invention, since the discount coupon is issued 'systematically', the management of the issuance of discount coupon can be precise and its results can be reflected as a precise feedback. Also, since the discount coupon is issued in real time when paying the purchasing payment, there is no need to print them out in advance, resulting in no more problem in being in short or too many. Further, since the discount coupon can be used in other affiliated business or industry, the consumer's usability of the discount coupon may be expected to be high.

[56] <Third Embodiment

[57] Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a promotion method through a multiple discount/ benefit providing affiliated cards and event coupons according to a third embodiment of the invention. The third embodiment is for a sales promotion method for a co- marketing between a specific card discount program and other kind of marketing promotion in a same business, while the second embodiment is about a sales promotion method for a co-marketing among different businesses or industries. In a sales promotion according to the third embodiment, a Step 1 discount procedure (S310 through S318) for giving a uniform discount to a specific credit card is same as the Step 1 discount procedure (Sl 10 through Sl 18) of the first embodiment, but an additional benefit (that is, Step 2 benefit) after the Step 1 discount is performed through an event coupon unlike the first embodiment. This is going to be explained in detail below.

[58] For example, when a consumer wants to pay for a discounting item with a specific credit card eligible for a discount (for example, Visa card) at a distributor store (seller), first the Step 1 discount amount is calculated for the purchasing item according to the discount program through steps from S310 to S318, and then the discount amount is reflected to the sales price of the item to process the payment (S324).

[59] If an item eligible for such a Step 1 discount at a POS system (130) of a store counter is detected, an event coupon (170) is issued and then provided to a corresponding consumer (S328). An identification number (ID) is recorded on the event coupon (170). The details of the Step 1 discount are printed on a product purchasing receipt. The event coupon (170) may not be printed separately, but can be issued by recording a guide paragraph and the identification number of the event coupon in a predetermined portion of the receipt. The information on the sales of the item and the issuance of the event coupon is transmitted to the server (110), and then stored in the product sales information DB and the event coupon information DB respectively.

[60] By subscribing for the event described in the event coupon (170) (S330), the consumer may get an additional benefit provided by the affiliated seller (200). For example, the event can be practiced by a seller (for example, E-mart) and the discounting item manufacturer (for example, LG Life Health). There may be a plurality of methods to subscribe for the event. In one method, the consumer (300) logs on a homepage operated by an event hosting company (that is, E-mart and/or LG Life Health) through the Internet (360) using a PC (320), and registers the identification number of the event coupon along with his won a mobile phone number. In another method, he can send the identification number of the event coupon (170) to a separate event managing server (370) accepting a short message service (SMS) using his own mobile phone (310). Since the mobile phone number of the consumer is sent to the event managing server (370) along with the identification number of the event coupon (170) if using this method, the event hosting company can obtain the mobile phone number of the consumer. The reason for obtaining the mobile phone number of the subscriber at the time of subscribing for the event is for notifying the subscriber of the results of the event. It is possible to have the consumer to send additional information when subscribing for the event.

[61] If an event subscription is received from the consumer (300) through the homepage or SMS (S332), the event hosting company sends a verification number or a specific code (for example, a three-dimensional code such as quick response (QR)) along with a guide message about notification of receipt of the event subscription received and how to receive the benefit to the consumer's mobile phone (310) as a feedback for the event subscription after the event period (S334). It is possible to make the kinds of benefits or winning of the benefits depend on raffles for the subscribers. The consumer having received the identification number visits a specific post (for example, a store, a gas station, a convenient store etc. which affiliates with the event hosting company) (S336), and receives the benefit by presenting the identification number or the specific code shown in his mobile phone (310) (S338). The given benefit may be, for example, a gift (for example, a sample product) or a discount ticket, and there is no limits to the kinds. The benefits such as the discount ticket or the gift are provided as an additional discount (Step 2 discount). The third embodiment is a method to encourage the consumer to visit the affiliated store by providing benefits such as a gift or a discount ticket. Since a gift was just delivered to the consumer's home without any further action in prior arts, the consumer is not expected to visit the store by himself, while this embodiment can encourage the consumer to re- visit the store or its affiliated store.

[62] The promotion methods according to the second or third embodiment are business models which a large-scale distributor store such as, for example, E-mart can practice as a form of a co-marketing with other stores (for example, gas station, etc.) nearby. That is, neighboring sales stores may have opportunity to approach a large number of consumers of the large-scale distributor store for marketing, so as to attract the consumers to their own stores. The large-scale distributor store can be more discr im- inatingly competitive against other large-scale distributor stores by providing the consumers with benefits through discount coupons or events. Who is going to pay the cost for the additional discount may be determined by the affiliated entities.

[63] The various types of sales promotion methods through multiple discount/benefit providing credit cards can be more effective in marketing if combined with a feedback system which enables to check whether there are effects in the sales promotion methods. Such a feedback system may include an action tracking system for checking whether the sales promotion activities according to the methods shown in the embodiments are working properly, and a financial tracking system for tracking and analyzing the relationship between the invested marketing promotion cost and the marketing effects. Such action tracking system or the financial tracking system may be performed by a third business party.

[64] As discussed in the above, consider a case in which a sales promotion method according to the invention is performed through an affiliation between a large-scale distributor store and a manufacturer of a specific item (or between a large-scale distributor and a neighboring gas station). In such a case, the manufacturer has a difficulty to check details of the progresses of the multiple discount/benefit events happening in the distributor store according to the invention, and it is not easy to obtain information about competing companies or other industry group. To handle such situations, the action tracking company has its own sales person visit the store in which the multiple discount/benefit event is being performed, so as to perform a field research including checking whether the discounting items are delivered to the store, attaching & managing a point of purchase (POP) advertisement, taking pictures of the events in the store, and checking how the item competes against products from other company, and to writing up a result report for each of the stores. The reports are submitted to the corresponding manufacturers.

[65] Also, through this action tracking, it is possible to collect data such as sales data of the entire items, sales data of the item for multiple discount/benefit, total discount amounts, return rate of discount coupon or event coupon, etc. These basic data can be used to perform the financial tracking. For example, a cost report including contents about number of discounts and discount amount for manufacturers or items, and classifying and requesting the fees can be made. This cost report can be used to make a second report for the business entities affiliated in the multiple discount/benefit marketing including a credit card company, a manufacturer, a distributor store, etc. For example, a report about increase/decrease and comparison of the total amount of card payment according to using of coupons can be a useful report for the credit card company. Also, a retail audit report comparing and analyzing the change of the POS sales and sales of the items for the multiple discount/benefit for analysis of the effect of the promotion against items of competing manufacturers will be a useful report for the distributor or the manufacturers. These reports can provide a very correct analysis results, for the sales promotion method based on the multiple discount/benefit according to the invention is executed with systematic connections in an environment of unified system.

[66] The three embodiments in the above have been described with items or commodities, but they can be applied to services. The kinds of additional benefits provided for purchasing of the discounting items may be changed or selected variously if necessary. For example, the benefits such as a specific amount of additional discount, mileage point, gift, discount ticket, and the like for purchasing amount of the items eligible for the multiple discount/benefit can be provided, and these kinds of benefits can be provided in a predetermined post as well as a store where the customer purchased the item.

[67] Also, even though explained with an off-line large-scale distributor store for examples, they can be applied to on-line shopping malls. Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to affiliation between an on-line seller and an off-line seller. There is no limit to the kinds of affiliated cards, and if a card is associated with a plurality of business entities or brands, the present invention may be applied widely. Also, the present invention may be applied to not only credit card, but also to paying means such as check card, etc. Industrial Applicability

[68] The present invention can by applied to industries in which the credit card is used to pay without any limits. In particular, it can be applied to 'affiliated cards' issued by a specific card company affiliated with other business entity in issuing the cards and/or marketing promotion. Representative affiliated cards may include affiliated cards between domestic cards and international cards (for example, Kookmin-Visa card, Sinhan-Master card, Samsung-American Express card, etc.), affiliated cards between card companies and non-card companies (for example, Lotte-Skypass card, Hyundai- SK Enclean card, Samsung-E-Mart card, BC-OK CASHBAG card, etc), etc. A plurality of business entities (brands) related to these affiliated cards, for example, credit card companies, sales stores, and manufactures can form cooperating relationship, and can use a sales method which is co-operating, but still independent and differentiated through the multiple discount/benefit according to credit cards.

Claims

[1] A sales promotion method through a multiple discount/benefit credit card, the method comprising steps of:

(i) loading data for items and credit cards for multiple discount/benefits and criteria for the multiple discount/benefits in a database of a computer system; (ii) determining whether an item that a consumer wants to purchase is one of the items for the multiple discount/benefits and whether a payment card chosen for payment by the consumer is a first credit card or a check card for the multiple discount/benefits ;

(iii) calculating a first discount amount according to a predetermined discount criteria for the multiple discount/benefit-applicable items when the two conditions are satisfied; and

(iv) providing additional benefits to the consumer when the payment card of the consumer satisfies a specific condition.

[2] The sales promotion method of Claim 1, wherein the specific condition is satisfied if the consumer's payment card is an affiliated card with a plurality of card brands which includes not only the first credit card or check card but also a second credit card or check card which is eligible additionally for the multiple discount/benefits .

[3] The sales promotion method of Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the additional benefits provided in the step (iv) comprises one out of a group consisting of additional discount of a predetermined amount for a price of the item for multiple discount/benefits, a mileage point, a gift, and a discount ticket, and the additional benefit is provided in a shopping store or other posts.

[4] The sales promotion method of Claim 2, wherein one of the first credit cards or check cards and the second credit cards or check cards comprises international credit cards or check cards.

[5] The sales promotion method of Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the step (iv) comprises steps of: issuing a discount coupon corresponding to the price of the multiple discount/ benefit item in real time and storing a history of issuing the discount coupon in a database when the sales price reflecting the first discount is paid by the consumer's payment card; sharing the history of issuing the discount coupon with a second seller's system which affiliates with the first seller and performs the marketing with the multiple discount/benefit together; and providing an additional discount by a predetermined amount assigned to the discount coupon for the item purchased in the second seller's store when the payment card that the consumer chose to pay for the item in the second seller's store is read by the second seller's system and turned out to be eligible for the additional benefits.

[6] The sales promotion method of Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the step (iv) comprises steps of: issuing an event coupon corresponding to the price of the multiple discount/ benefit item in real time and storing a history of issuing the event coupon in a database when the sales price reflecting the first discount is paid by the consumer's payment card; sharing the history of issuing the event coupon with a system of the event hosting company which affiliates with the first seller and performs the marketing with the multiple discount/benefit together; transmitting, in a consumer's mobile phone, an identification number on the event coupon along with his/her own mobile phone number to the system of the event hosting company through a communication means in order to subscribe for the event; and transmitting a verification number or code to the mobile phone of the subscriber when the identification number of the event coupon received by the system of the event hosting company is verified, wherein the consumer receives the additional benefits by visiting a predetermined post and presenting the verification number or code in his/her mobile phone.

[7] A sales promotion method using multiple discount/benefit for affiliated cards having a plurality of card brands issued by affiliation of a plurality of business entities, the method comprising steps of: loading data for items and credit cards for multiple discount/benefits and criteria for the multiple discount/benefits in a database of a computer system; reading an identification number of an item a consumer wants to purchase, searching the database for the identification number, and determining whether the item belongs to the multiple discount/benefit items; reading information of a payment card chosen by the consumer for payment, searching the database for the information, and determining whether the payment card is a first credit card or a check card for the multiple discount/benefits; if the consumer's payment card is an affiliated card with a plurality of card brands which is not only a first credit card or check card eligible for the multiple discount/benefit but also a second credit card or check card, calculating a first discount amount for the first credit card or check card according to the multiple discount/benefit criteria, and calculating an additional second discount amount for the second credit card or check card according to the multiple discount/ benefit criteria; and calculating a payment amount by subtracting the first discount amount and the second discount amount from a price of the item that the consumer wants to purchase.

[8] The sales promotion method of Claim 7, wherein one of the first credit card or check card and the second credit card or check card comprises an international credit card.

[9] The sales promotion method of Claim 7, further comprising a step of printing out a receipt showing details of the discounts.

[10] A sales promotion method, in which a first seller and a second seller affiliate with each other and allow a multiple discount/benefit through a specific payment card and a discount coupon, the sales promotion method comprising steps of: in a first seller's computing system, loading data for items and credit cards for multiple discount/benefits and criteria for the multiple discount/benefits in a database of the first seller's computing system; reading an identification number of a first item a consumer wants to purchase, searching the database for the identification number, and determining whether the first item belongs to the multiple discount/benefit items; reading information of a payment card chosen by the consumer for payment, searching the database for the information of the payment card, and determining whether the payment card is a first credit card or a check card for the multiple discount/benefits; and if the consumer's payment card is a multiple discount/benefit card, calculating a first discount amount for the multiple discount/benefit item according to the multiple discount/benefit criteria, calculating a payment amount by subtracting the first discount amount from the price of the first item, and issuing in real time a discount coupon eligible for an additional discount from the second seller, and in a second seller's computing system, determining whether the payment card is a multiple discount/benefit card; and reading an identification number of the discount coupon, and if the identification number is verified, calculating a payment amount by subtracting the discount amount on the discount coupon from a price of the second item.

[11] The sales promotion method of Claim 10, further comprising a step of sharing, by the computing systems of the first and second sellers, discount coupon related information including an identification number of the discount coupon, a discount amount, and an expiration date of the discount coupon before or after an issuance of the discount coupon.

[12] The sales promotion method of Claim 10 or Claim 11, wherein the discount coupon is printed on a specific portion of a payment receipt or on a separate coupon.

[13] A sales promotion method for giving a multiple discount/benefit through a specific payment card and an event coupon, the sales promotion method comprising steps of: in a seller's computing system, loading data for items and credit cards for multiple discount/benefits and criteria for the multiple discount/benefits in a database of the computing system of a seller; reading an identification number of the item that a consumer wants to purchase, searching the database for the identification number, and determining whether the item belongs to the multiple discount/benefit items; reading information of a payment card chosen by the consumer for payment, searching the database for the information of the payment card, and determining whether the payment card is a multiple discount/benefit card; and if the consumer's payment card is a multiple discount/benefit card, calculating a first discount amount for the multiple discount/benefit item according to the multiple discount/benefit criteria, calculating a payment amount by subtracting the first discount amount from the price of the item, and issuing in real time an event coupon eligible for an additional benefit, and further comprising: transmitting, in a consumer's mobile phone, an identification number on the event coupon along with his/her own mobile phone number to the system of the event hosting company through a communication means in order to subscribe for the event; transmitting a verification number or code to the mobile phone of the subscriber; and giving an additional benefits to the consumer when the verification number or code in his/her mobile phone is verified in a predetermined post.

[14] The sales promotion method of Claim 13, wherein the consumer logs on to a homepage of the event hosting company's system, and subscribes to the event using a computer or a short messaging service (SMS) of the mobile phone.

[15] The sales promotion method of Claim 13, further comprising a step of sharing, by computing systems of the first seller and the event hosting company, event coupon related information including an identification number of the event coupon, and an expiration date of the event coupon before or after an issuance of the event coupon.

[16] The sales promotion method of Claim 13 or Claim 15, wherein the event coupon is printed on a specific portion of a payment receipt or on a separate coupon.