Parker's Takes the Wraps Off Mobile Pay

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The testing period is over and Parker's new Mobile Pay option, which lets customers pay for transactions at the pump or in stores using their smartphones, is now in effect.

The GPS-enabled technology is available exclusively to Parker's PumpPal loyalty program members and saves customers up to 14 seconds on every transaction, according to the convenience store retailer, compared to the current chip and PIN technology in credit cards.  

In May, CSNews Online exclusively reported Parker's was developing and testing the mobile payment platform. (Click here for that story).

The new Mobile Pay option is integrated into the free Parker's mobile app. Using the new technology, PumpPal members can pull up to a Parker's store, enter the gas pump number, type a personal PIN number, fuel up and go — without ever scanning a PumpPal card or opening their physical wallet. The pump can even be turned on before getting out of the car.

"This is the new frontier in mobile technology," said Greg Parker, president and CEO of Parker's. "Our customers want to save time and money. At Parker's, we're helping them do both with our new Mobile Pay option. We complete more than 100,000 transactions every day, and this technology will help our customers pay faster than ever." 

For customers paying for their fuel or purchasing other items inside the store, the GPS technology automatically identifies the store. PumpPal customers with the Parker's app can simply scan their barcode at the cash register, enter a PIN number and hit "enter" to pay, according to the retailer.  

"It's so easy and so fast," said Parker's Director of Fuel Management Jeff Bush, who spearheaded Mobile Pay's development over the past eight months. "The app does a lot of the work for you. Our customers are really impressed."

The new Mobile Pay option also allows customers to filter fuel prices by grade and receive exclusive coupons for special savings at Parker's. In addition, the app has a unique messaging feature whereby customers can stay up-to-date with Parker's news and updates. 

All customers who download the Parker's app receive a digital coupon for a free 32-ounce fountain drink.
 
To develop this robust mobile payment system, Parker's united five different vendors, including app developer Zingon. Parker's tested the system extensively before the launch to make sure the technology would work seamlessly.
 
Bush relayed that the response from PumpPal customers has been extremely positive since the launch. "Our customers love it," he said. "Everyone is so excited."
 
Savannah-based Parker's currently operates 44 convenience stores throughout Georgia and South Carolina. The company is celebrating its 40th anniversary this summer.