CCCMK and Panasonic form business partnership to jointly develop electronic stamp service using LinkRay™ optical ID technology

2018.11.05 Press Releases
CCC Marketing Co., Ltd. / Panasonic Corporation

-Starting November 5th, the service will be available on the point card consolidation app "Smartphone Wallet" as a new solution for retailers in a walletless society-

CCC Marketing Co., Ltd. (Head office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Kazuhiko Kitamura; hereinafter referred to as "CCCMK"), a group company of Culture Convenience Club Co., Ltd. that operates a marketing platform business, and Panasonic Corporation (Head office: Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture; President and CEO: Kazuhiro Tsuga; hereinafter referred to as "Panasonic") are pleased to announce that they have jointly developed "Hikari Stamp*," an electronic stamp service that utilizes Panasonic's optical ID technology "LinkRay?", which allows users to receive ID signals transmitted from LED light sources on their smartphones and quickly obtain information. The service will be available on "Smartphone Wallet," a point card consolidation app provided by CCCMK, from November 5, 2018.

According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, as of 2015, Japan's cashless payment ratio was 18%, lower than South Korea's 89%, China's 60%, and India's 38%. The government aims to achieve a cashless payment ratio of 40% by 2025, and plans to provide support for promoting cashless payments by providing subsidies to businesses that provide smartphone-based payment platforms and considering tax measures for retailers for a certain period of time depending on the payment amount.

In light of changes in the environment and lifestyles, such as payments via smartphones due to the cashless society and the trend towards not even carrying a wallet (walletless), the two companies combined their assets to offer new customer value and solutions to improve the operational efficiency of retail distribution stores, and have jointly developed the electronic stamp service "Hikari Stamp."

"Hikari Stamp" is an electronic stamp service that allows customers to get a stamp when they purchase a product by simply activating the camera in the "Smartphone Wallet" app and holding it over a "LinkRay?" compatible tabletop transmitter installed in participating stores. The stamp can then be used to receive coupons and special offers depending on the number of stamps collected.

For retail distribution stores, the service can be introduced simply by preparing a LinkRay? compatible tabletop transmitter, and by visualizing log data such as the number of customers visiting the store and stamp issuance status, it can be used to help with CRM activities.

The launch of "Hikari Stamp," a joint development utilizing "Smartphone Wallet," a point card consolidation app provided by CCCMK, and Panasonic's optical ID technology "LinkRay?", will contribute to resolving issues faced by stores that have introduced "Smartphone Wallet" and improving customer satisfaction, and will provide solutions that utilize advanced technology as we move toward a truly walletless society.

[Service usage example]

[LinkRay? compatible desktop transmitter]

■About "Smartphone Wallet"
A free app based on the concept of "being able to use everything from points to payments with just one smartphone."Available nationwide at FamilyMart, Welcia, TSUTAYA, Matsumoto Kiyoshi, MOS Burger, and other convenience stores. It allows users to manage all the various point cards and electronic money stored in their wallets in one place, and delivers coupons and special offers from participating stores such as McDonald's and Gusto to users. You can also enjoy convenient cardless shopping by showing the barcode, QR code, or stamp card screen in the app at the store.

・Download URL:

■About "LinkRay?"
The optical ID technology "LinkRay?" allows a smartphone to receive ID signals transmitted from an LED light source, enabling quick access to information. By simply reading the optical signals (ID) emitted from lights and other sources used in the city (digital signage, billboards, LED lighting with a "light ID" transmission function) with your smartphone camera (taking a photo with a dedicated app), you can obtain a variety of information.
It features high speed, allowing you to read an ID immediately by simply launching the app and holding the camera over it, a wide range of compatible devices, and security to prevent the ID from being copied.
　The LinkRay™ optical ID technology will be offered as part of Panasonic's μSockets IoT service, which utilizes the advanced core technologies and B2B system provision know-how that it has cultivated over many years in the business world.

*The company names and product/service names mentioned in this press release are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies.
*The trademark registration for "Hikari Stamp" is currently pending.

Materials related to this matter

CCCMK and Panasonic form business partnership to jointly develop electronic stamp service using LinkRay™ optical ID technology

Inquiries regarding this matter
Panasonic Corporation　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Connected Solutions Company
Public Relations Department / TEL: 06-6910-1237

CCC Marketing Co., Ltd.
Public Relations Officer / TEL: 03-6800-4464