US Postal Service press release:
WASHINGTON — Mobile barcodes and direct mail will drive retail sales this holiday season, so marketers looking to boost revenue while saving money should consider the 2012 Holiday Mobile Shopping Promotion — now open for registration at the RIBBS website, according to the U.S. Postal Service.
The 2012 Holiday Mobile Shopping Promotion is designed to drive online product purchases by putting mobile-optimized promotional offers, coupons and catalogs into consumers’ hands in time for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the busiest shopping time of year. The promotion will offer online merchants an upfront 2 percent postage discount on Standard Mail and First-Class Mail letters, flats and cards (presort and automation) that include a mobile barcode or print/mobile technology — such as a Quick Response (QR) code — that can be read or scanned by a mobile device and leads the mail recipient to a mobile-optimized shopping website. The promotion will run Nov. 7- Nov. 21.
“Direct mail has always been an effective way to reach consumers with product information,” said Gary Reblin, vice president, Domestic Products. “And direct mail combined with mobile technology is a really convenient way for consumers to do their holiday shopping, a convenience that will continue to grow.
“This is the third promotion we’ve offered to demonstrate the effectiveness of integrating mail and mobile technology, and we’re convinced that once marketers try it, they’ll make direct mail and mobile technology a regular part of their marketing mix,” said Reblin.
Mailers may also qualify for an additional 1 percent postage rebate on their discounted mailings if a portion of their product orders are fulfilled via Priority Mail between Nov. 9 and Dec. 31.
“With no extra charges for Saturday delivery, Priority Mail provides added value that our customers can pass along to their customers,” said Reblin.
For additional information on the 2012 Holiday Mobile Shopping Promotion, go to RIBBS. Program registration continues through Nov. 21. Participants must agree to participate in a survey about the promotion.