Once a promotion is executed, the data then can be collected in and reported by PDI systems to be analyzed for promotional effectiveness.
"The framework will allow [image-nocss] convenience retailers to have much higher visibility into the behavior of their customers and their stores," said Earl Milam, PDI's vice president of product development.
In one scenario, a store manager sends a coupon to customers who have iPhones using OpenStore systems, telling them about a special offer on a fuel/soda cross-promotionheld when fuel transactions are coming in below moving averages.
"The core idea of our joint effort is that by combining business intelligence and data mining with digital media and marketing solutions for convenience stores, our customers will be able to tap into the new world of social network marketing," said Jason Toews, co-CEO of GasBuddy OpenStore.
GasBuddy OpenStore, headquartered in Houston, recently introduced its OpenStore Social Network Marketing Platform, which is designed to boost in-store sales of merchandise and food through targeted electronic promotions.
"With OpenStore, we can offer clients access to a segment of our database of 64 million unique users," said Dustin Coupal, co-CEO of GasBuddy OpenStore. "For companies that already are pushing out promotions via the Internet, we can significantly increase their reach, brand visibility, traffic in stores and, ultimately, sales."
The first major client of OpenStore is Rutter's Farm Stores based in York, Pa. Other GasBuddy affiliates operate more than 200 regional websites in the United States and Canada that gather gasoline prices through a network of volunteer price spotters in each area.
Temple, Texas-based PDI provides software, hardware and professional services to convenience retailers and wholesale petroleum marketers. Worldwide, more than 330 companies operating more than 23,000 retail locations use PDI's systems for retail automation, fuel and warehouse management, business intelligence, financial reporting and employee selection and training.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.