Cartera Commerce And SavingStar Announce Strategic Partnership To Integrate Digital Grocery Coupons Into Cartera's Large In-Store Merchant Network

Lexington, MA - Cartera Commerce, the leading provider of multi-channel merchant networks and performance advertising solutions, recently announced a strategic partnership with SavingStar, the first national, fully digital, grocery eCoupon service, to deliver an integrated solution that links digital grocery coupons with loyalty shopping programs.

In the coming weeks consumers will be able to conveniently activate digital grocery coupons and automatically redeem savings as cashback, points, or miles within existing loyalty and rewards programs – all without paper, bar codes or gift cards. The partnership also expands Cartera's large in-store merchant network to include more than 24,000 supermarkets and drugstores, extending the merchant reach and value it delivers to its financial services and loyalty program clients.

"Consumers want to save money on groceries. The partnership between SavingStar and Cartera allows millions of shoppers to easily select their favorite coupons and get savings in their favorite loyalty program," said David Rochon, CEO of SavingStar. "With a powerful transaction marketing platform and a client roster that features some of the world's largest banks, airlines and loyalty programs, Cartera was the ideal strategic partner for SavingStar."

Creating an essential bridge between advertisers and the nation's largest rewards and loyalty programs, Cartera powers personalized online and in-store shopping across multiple channels including web, mobile, email, social media and browser apps. Its world-class network of more than 3,000 national, regional, local and online merchant partners reaches more than 150 million consumers. The strategic partnership with SavingStar expands that network to include thousands of supermarkets and drugstores, from Albertsons and CVS, to Kroger, Wegman's and Winn-Dixie.

The partnership reflects the growing consumer demand for coupons . In 2010, more than 49 million people used online printable or digital coupons to save money while shopping, according to Simmons Research, up 23% from 2009. The growth and convergence of online coupons and loyalty programs has created consumer demand for digital grocery coupons accessible through loyalty and rewards programs. Cartera and SavingStar are uniquely positioned to meet this demand.

"The integrated solution we have created with SavingStar is one example of how Cartera's in-store merchant network continuously expands to make loyalty shopping more rewarding. SavingStar has rapidly emerged as a genuine leader in grocery and drugstore couponing and we are delighted to integrate them as a key vertical segment in our merchant network," said Dave Andre, founder and chairman of Cartera Commerce. "By expanding our network to include grocery stores and drugstores, CPG companies can take advantage of our pay-for-performance advertising model while our bank and loyalty clients can offer consumers a compelling value proposition to reward everyday grocery and drugstore shopping."

SOURCE: Cartera Commerce