Systems and methods for distributing coupons

摘要

The present invention provides systems and methods for distributing coupons by a retailer. The coupons distributed in the invention are “third-party” coupons, that is, coupons for goods or services that are unrelated to those of the retailer and offered by a third-party retailer. For example, if the coupons are being distributed by a supermarket, then the coupons may be for tools at a home-improvement store or for tax services by an accountant. The distribution methods of the invention increases the revenue of a retailer. More specifically, a consumer is presented a coupon when the value of the transaction exceeds a threshold. In a number of embodiments, the threshold is the average sale per transaction of the retailer. Accordingly, consumers will be motivated to increase spending so that coupons can be earned. The methods and apparatus of the invention are equally applicable to both “brick and mortar” and “click and mortar” retailing. In the latter, consumers may shop on the Internet and print out coupons during checkout if the threshold for a particular website is met.

主权项

1. A system for distributing third-party coupons by a retailer on the Internet, the Internet including a computer with a monitor and a printer, the third-party coupons being associated with goods or services of a third-party retailer, which goods or services are unrelated to the goods or services of the retailer and wherein the third-party retailer purchases advertising from the retailer, the system comprising:
a server configured to:
cause a graphical user interface (GUI) to be displayed on the monitor;display an advertisement associated with a third-party coupon of the third-party retailer;display a threshold value in the GUI;calculate a value of a transaction based on a purchase of goods or services made from the retailer by a consumer;display the value of the transaction in the GUI; andenable the computer to print the third-party coupon when the value of the transaction exceeds the threshold value; wherein the third-party coupon is redeemable for the goods or services of the third-party retailer; and wherein goods or services of the third-party retailer are unrelated to the goods or services sold by the retailer and therefore are unpurchaseable from the retailer.