Yahoo! JAPAN and T Point Japan expand T-POINT service to small and medium-sized stores

2013.05.13 Press Releases
Yahoo Japan Corporation / T Point Japan Co., Ltd.

- Aiming to popularize T-POINT by utilizing Yahoo! JAPAN's version of T-UNIT "T-UNIT3" -

Yahoo! JAPAN, the operator of Yahoo! JAPAN, and T-POINT Japan Co., Ltd. (TPJ), the operator of Japan's largest shared points service, T-POINT, have entered into a new T-POINT Agency Agreement, based on the strategic capital and business alliance concluded between Yahoo! JAPAN and Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd. (CCC) in June 2012, to utilize Yahoo! JAPAN's technology to conduct affiliated sales for the introduction of the T-POINT service to small and medium-sized stores. The two companies aim to popularize and expand T-POINT in brick-and-mortar stores.

For small and medium-sized stores to introduce their own point systems, not only do they need to build and develop the system, but they also face obstacles such as the initial installation costs of dedicated equipment, running costs, and renewal costs, as well as the size of their customer base. Therefore, CCC has been creating an environment in which small and medium-sized stores can easily introduce the T-POINT service through the T-POINT dedicated terminals "T-UNIT 1" and "T-UNIT 2."

In addition to the strength of its T-POINT service, which has an overwhelming customer base of 45.04 million (unique active users), Yahoo! JAPAN is now offering the Yahoo! JAPAN version of T-UNIT, "T-UNIT 3," a set that combines a dedicated card reader and tablet device developed by the company.By simply inserting the earphone jack-type card reader into the tablet device, users can easily introduce the T-POINT service. The tablet devices come pre-installed with an application also developed by Yahoo! JAPAN, which allows users to intuitively and easily award and redeem points by simply touching the screen. In addition, the built-in CRM function allows for proactive sales promotion measures, such as launching promotional campaigns for loyal customers. By utilizing the application, even if specifications are updated due to a system update, the system can be easily updated online, eliminating the need to update the equipment itself, which has led to significant cost savings.

"T-UNIT 3" will begin accepting applications from small and medium-sized stores on May 13th, with implementation starting on June 7th.

Yahoo! JAPAN's mission is to "solve the problems of people and society through information technology." As a "problem-solving engine," we will continue to make the most of our technology and internet business know-how to solve all kinds of problems in the world.

CCC launched the "T-POINT" common points service in October 2003 and has since been working to form partnerships with companies primarily involved in distribution, retail, and chain stores nationwide. Since then, the number of T-POINT partner companies has expanded to various industries, and as each company issues T-CARD, the number of T-CARD users has spread throughout the country. In this context, we began offering the T-POINT service to small and medium-sized stores nationwide in April 2011, with the aim of providing an environment where T-POINT can be earned and used in a variety of lifestyle situations that are even more closely tied to people's lives. Currently, the T-POINT service is available at over 4,800 local stores, including local restaurants and dry cleaners.
TPJ expects that this initiative will further expand the number of T-POINT affiliated stores, and by creating a T-POINT dominant presence in every region of Japan, the company aims to contribute to revitalizing local economies by providing point services that are rooted in people's daily lives.

Going forward, Yahoo! JAPAN and TPJ plan to utilize the comprehensive power and strengths of Yahoo! JAPAN, one of Japan's largest internet companies, to provide all T-POINT affiliated stores with a number of measures to stimulate O2O (※), such as more targeted Yahoo! JAPAN's wide range of advertising plans and the ability to link online with Japan's largest geo-services, Yahoo! Loco and Yahoo! Maps.
Both companies will continue to strive to build the most valuable shared points system in Japan and to improve customer value for both companies.

The outline of "T-UNIT 3" is as follows:

About "T-UNIT 3"

<Features>
1) 7-inch tablet
The device used is a 7-inch tablet made by Huawei. In addition to the ease of use provided by the large screen, it is an ideal device for comfortable internet use.
It is portable and easy to carry, and its wireless connection means no installation is required, making it very convenient.
2) Dedicated card reader
It uses a dedicated earphone jack-type card reader specially developed by Yahoo! JAPAN. It is possible to easily read T-CARD. Compatible with JIS1/JIS2.
3) CRM functionality
It is possible to implement promotional measures that offer special benefits depending on the number of times a customer visits the store.
4) Digital Signage
The 7-inch tablet device can also be used as digital signage.

*In the future, we plan to be able to display recommended menu items and play videos introducing the store.

■For more information on "T-UNIT 3", please refer to the URL below.

It is also planned to be linked to services offered by Yahoo! JAPAN, such as Yahoo! JAPAN's advertising plans and Japan's largest geo-service, Yahoo! Loco. We will be offering special new advertising and promotional solutions made possible through the collaboration between Yahoo! JAPAN and TPJ.

T-POINT Japan Co., Ltd. (Head office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Established: October 1, 2012; President and CEO: Muneaki Masuda) is a company that operates the T-POINT program and is jointly funded by Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd. (85%) and Yahoo Japan Corporation (15%). T-POINT, Japan's largest shared point service, had 45.04 million active and unique members as of the end of April 2013, and as of the end of March 2013, there were 98 T-POINT partner companies with approximately 52,000 stores.

*As of April 26, 2013, Manabu Miyasaka, CEO of Yahoo Japan Corporation, was appointed as an outside director of T-POINT Japan Co., Ltd.

(※1) What is "O2O"?
An abbreviation for "Online to Offline."A term that implies that online and offline (physical store) purchasing activities are linked together, or that online activities influence purchases at physical stores.

Materials related to this matter

Yahoo! JAPAN and T-POINT Japan expand T-POINT service to small and medium-sized stores

Inquiries regarding this matter
T Point Japan Co., Ltd.
Public Relations Officer: Ando
TEL: 03-6800-4464