#United States #San Mateo #Retail Innovations #Simon+ #Rakuten Card Linked Offer Network

Rakuten and Simon+® Join Forces

In a groundbreaking partnership, Rakuten Card Linked Offer Network (RCLON) has teamed up with Simon®, a powerful real estate investment trust, to revolutionize the in-store shopping experience for customers participating in the Simon+® rewards program. This collaboration introduces cutting-edge card-linked offers that enable retailers and brands to deeply engage with Simon+ members, promoting their in-store sales while effectively measuring marketing impact across Simon's impressive portfolio of shopping destinations nationwide.

"Simon+ was designed to deepen engagement with our shoppers while helping retailers and restauranteurs attract valuable new customers and grow frequency with existing customers," said Aaron Glick, VP of Loyalty and Omnichannel Marketing at Simon. "Rakuten Card Linked Offer Network stood out as a leader in card-linked offers that could deliver an in-store experience at scale."

The integration of Rakuten's card-linked offers allows Simon+ members to automatically earn cash back when shopping at participating retailers. This unique approach is one of the first large-scale implementations of such offers in a significant retail environment, pushing the boundaries of traditional marketing strategies that primarily operate online. With this partnership, brands can now effectively influence purchase decisions right at the point of sale, providing full transparency and measurement of marketing efforts in physical stores.

Participating retailers include a variety of national chains and specialty shops, all of which leverage these card-linked offers to drive foot traffic and sales from the vast network of Simon+ members. With over 220 shopping destinations across the country, Simon draws millions of shoppers annually—an invaluable opportunity for retailers seeking to reach a highly engaged customer base.

Christine Maitland, General Manager at Rakuten Card Linked Offer Network, emphasizes the importance of this unique offering. "Physical retail remains one of the most powerful environments for influencing purchase decisions, but it has been historically difficult for marketers to measure the direct impact of campaigns. This collaboration bridges that gap. By working with Simon+, we are extending our card-linked offer capabilities into the in-store environment at scale, enabling retailers to connect seamlessly with shoppers while directly tying marketing to verified transactions."

RCLON's innovative technology provides retailers the ability to craft personalized incentives linked directly to a shopper’s payment card. This approach eliminates the hassle of traditional coupons or promo codes, allowing retailers to activate offers conveniently while also gaining real-time insights through actual purchase data. With the deployment of these strategies, participating retailers report a remarkable increase in return on advertising spend (ROAS) and overall sales performance, often yielding up to 30% higher ROAS and double the average order value compared to unassisted sales.

In summary, the partnership between Rakuten and Simon+ positions both companies at the forefront of transforming the retail experience. With their shared commitment to innovation and customer engagement, they are paving the way for a new era in in-store marketing, one that integrates digital convenience with the tactile experience of physical shopping. As more retailers join this initiative, consumers can look forward to exciting new rewards and tailored shopping experiences that enhance their visits to Simon properties across the nation.

For more details about Rakuten's card-linked offers and to stay updated on future innovations, visit Rakuten.