Retail chains in the US and the UK have launched mobile apps for consumers, which in both cases look to reward loyalty with discounted products and offers. Sainsbury’s, the UK’s third-largest retail chain, announced two apps for iPhone and iPod Touch users, which offer customers “exclusive, personalised offers as well as the ability to collect Nectar [loyalty] points quicker than ever before.” One is focused solely on offers from Sainsbury’s, while the other offers deals from additional Nectar partners, and both offer targeted promotions, store locators and instant access to points balances.

Best Buy, the US consumer electronics giant, launched a “location-based retail experiment”, powered by the existing ‘shopkick’ mobile commerce app. Set to be supported in 257 stores by 1 October 2010, the company is looking to “examine the ways in-store shoppers value and redeem offers and rewards through their smartphones”. When visiting shopkick-enabled stores, customers will receive reward points called “kickbacks”, which can be saved over time and either redeemed in store or converted into gift certificates. The retailer has integrated shopkick with its point-of-sale terminals to streamline the process.