METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SALES PROMOTION

• US 20100262476A1
• Filed: 12/20/2007
• Published: 10/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: SRG Enterprises Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: G5 Enterprizes Pty., Ltd.
• Inventors: Amour, Marc
• Application Number:
  US12/520,766
• Publication Number:
  US 20100262476A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.140
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0212 Chance discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3255 Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3258 Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots

Abstract

Described herein are methods and systems for conducting sales promotions in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments a retailer offers to consumers an opportunity to win a prize according to predetermined purchasing criteria, this offer being provided as an incentive for the consumers to purchase goods and or services. In overview, and as shown in FIG. (1), a consumer enters into a purchase transaction with a retailer at step (1). In the case that this purchase transaction satisfies predetermined purchasing criteria, an entry in a chance-based gaming activity is defined for the consumer at step (2). This entry is provided to the consumer free of charge. A redemption request is subsequently allowed to be placed in respect of the entry, such a request being received at step (3). Responsive to the redemption request, it is substantially immediately determined whether or not to award a prize to the consumer based on the outcome of the chance-based gaming activity at step (4). The consumer is then substantially immediately informed as to whether or not a prize is to be awarded at step (5).

Claims

1. A method for conducting a sales promotion, the method including:

receiving data indicative of a purchase transaction between a consumer and a retailer, the purchase transaction having a transaction value;

being responsive to the data for selectively defining an entry in a chance-based gaming activity for the consumer in relation to the purchase transaction, wherein the purchase transaction is for goods and/or services unrelated to the chance-based gaming activity;

processing the data to determine a supplementary contribution amount for the consumer; and

providing a prize pool from which prizes are to be awarded in relation to the change-based gaming activity, wherein the prize pool is funded at least in part by a value corresponding to the supplementary contribution amount.

2. A method according to claim 1 including the step of:

in the case that an entry is defined, being responsive to one or more characteristics of the purchase transaction for determining a consumer direct contribution amount, wherein the prize pool is additionally funded at least in part by a value corresponding to the consumer direct contribution amount.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the consumer direct contribution is determined to be a proportion of the transaction value.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the supplementary contribution amount includes a net investment return derived from the investment of the transaction amount.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the supplementary contribution amount includes a net investment return derived from the investment of a proportion of the transaction amount.

6. A method according to claim 2 wherein the supplementary contribution amount includes a net investment return derived from the investment of a value corresponding to the consumer direct contribution.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the supplementary contribution amount includes a net distribution marketing amount.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the net distribution marketing amount is derived from a gross distribution marketing amount provided by a third party in consideration for marketing material being provided to the consumer in connection with the purchase transaction.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the marketing material is printed on a transaction receipt for the purchase transaction.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein the supplementary contribution amount includes a net collection marketing amount.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the net collection marketing amount is derived from a gross collection marketing amount provided by a third party in consideration to marketing information being obtained in relation to the consumer in connection with the purchase transaction.

12. A method according to claim 1 wherein the supplementary contribution amount affects the relative probability of the consumer winning a prize based on his/her respective entry.

13. A method according to claim 1 wherein the supplementary contribution amount affects a characteristic of a prize winnable by the consumer based on his/her respective entry.

14. A method according to claim 1 including the steps of:

receiving data indicative of a redemption request placed in respect of the entry at either or both of the time of completion of the retail transaction and a time selected by the consumer;

being is responsive to the redemption request for substantially immediately determining whether or not to award a prize to the consumer based on the outcome of the chance-based gaming activity, wherein the prize is defined by a portion of the prize pool.

15. A method according to claim 14 including the step of processing data associated with the redemption request for selectively attributing an additional supplementary contribution to the consumer.

16. A method according to claim 14 including the step of substantially immediately informing the consumer whether or not a prize is to be awarded.

17. A method for providing a prize pool for a sales promotion, the method including the steps of:

receiving data indicative of an instruction to transfer funds corresponding to a transaction value for a purchase transaction between a consumer and a retailer from a consumer account to a retailer account;

providing the funds to a third location for a predefined period to derive a gross investment return including a supplementary contribution amount for the consumer;

at the end of the predefined period, transferring the funds to the second location; and

adding a value corresponding to the supplementary contribution amount to the prize pool.

18. A method for conducting a sales promotion, the method including:

receiving data indicative of a purchase transaction between a consumer and a retailer, wherein the consumer is provided with marketing material in connection with the purchase transaction;

being responsive to the data for selectively defining an entry in a chance-based gaming activity for the consumer in relation to the purchase transaction, wherein the purchase transaction is for goods and/or services unrelated to the chance-based gaming activity;

processing the data to determine a supplementary contribution amount for the consumer, the supplementary contribution amount including a net distribution marketing amount related to the provision of the marketing material to the consumer; and

providing a prize pool from which prizes are to be awarded in relation to the change-based gaming activity, wherein the prize pool is funded at least in part by a value corresponding to the supplementary contribution amount.

19-29. -29. (canceled)