Universal Coupons
Universal Coupons, powered by GS1’s Application Identifier (8112) and managed by The Coupon Bureau, afford brand marketers a new D2C capability for influencing shopper behavior; maintaining the security of couponing programs, while providing superior reach, flexibility, efficiency & affordability.
Universal Coupons are a modernized version of the legacy AI (8110) manufacturers printed coupon. AI (8112), a new standard, ratified by ACP and JICC, is available in both print and digital, with the primary difference being the coupon is digitally validated at point of sale across all participating retailers. Other improvements include serialization, single use, SKU level targeting, and realtime reporting.
These coupons can be redeemed across multiple stores, brands, or platforms, unlike traditional digital coupons that are usually specific to a single brand or retailer.
Features and Benefits
Serialized (Digital & Paper)
Serialized, single-use coupons for greater security and enhanced marketing attribution
Real Time Validation
POS integration includes real-time validation to ensure accurate redemptions and security
Retailer Agnostic
Universal coupons are accepted at a variety of locations, making them more versatile and attractive to consumers.
Direct To Consumer
Brands can market direct to their consumers with a digitally validated activation tool that is not restricted to a single retailer.
Omni-Channel
Digital attribution expands reach for brands across all channels, including ecommerce, digital, and out-of-home.
What Do Universal Coupons Look Like?
Wallet passes can be native to both Google and Apple platforms.
Wallet Pass
Provider owned apps often aggregate numerous brand coupons for their audience.
App
AI (8112) coupons are compatible with both retailer or 3rd party e-commerce platforms.
Ecommerce
The advantage of PWA distribution is that shoppers don't have to download and register for apps.