200 Million Reasons to Not Clip Coupons 01/13/2009 12:13 PM by elle
According to Progressive Grocer, there is now reporting that forecasts there will be roughly 200 million cell phone coupon users by 2013. If my dad could only see this headline, he might roll over in his grave. My earliest memory of him was sitting on my parents’ bed helping him clip coupons and tagging along while he pulled out his big coupon folder at the Super Fresh checkout counter.
Someone who passed away in 1992 wasn’t even aware of the cell phone’s existence. Let alone what advances it would bring to the everyday life.
Currently, mobile couponing is much more prevalent in Japan and Korea, but studies show there is a growing number of retail coupons offered through SMS in the US. With cell phone companies offering the campaigns more frequently, retail companies are becoming more comfortable with the concept and more likely to use mobile advertising in the future.
With the existing ability of getting spam, horoscope readings and weather reports through text messages, it was only time before people welcomed common, everyday items like coupons. You always have your cellphone with you so it’s not like you can forget your coupon when you go shopping. My dad would curse when he realized he’d left a $1.00 off coupon at home.
In addition to making my dad happy, more widespread mobile couponing would surely be appreciated by Mother Earth. She sure could use a break- maybe give her a deal on her lifespan?
