New regulation in France is banning the printed receipt, paving the way towards modernization, sustainability, and the digital receipt. Yet it is also a ground-breaking opportunity for retailers to reinvent processes, utilize in-store data, nurture meaningful post-purchase engagement, and find opportunities for customer engagement and loyalty beyond mere compliance.
What is the new regulation in France all about?
Aiming to simplify record-keeping, empower customers, and most importantly, reduce paper waste, France’s new regulation bans retailers from automatically printing receipts. Of course, if a customer requests a paper receipt, it can be provided. However, ultimately this means a significant transformation in the industry as retailers must implement a new receipt system and ‘a new normal.’
The regulation is unfolding in a phased approach, with staggered implementation. In the first phase, starting July 1, 2024 – large enterprises will be held accountable. January 2025 and on, intermediate businesses will be looped in. And in the final phase, beginning January 2026, small to medium businesses will be responsible for it.
Yet no matter the size of the organization, early adaptation is key – for establishing a consistent and intentional history of compliance, as well as for ensuring a smooth transition.
What are the advantages of a move to digital receipts?
There are many important (and sometimes unexpected) benefits that come with the move to digital receipts.
It’s green.
Many paper receipts go straight to the trash and are a senseless waste of paper. Digital receipts mean a reduction in this and further global environmental efforts. Additionally, customers often appreciate (and patronize) an organization that is eco-friendly in its mission and practice.
It’s efficient.
Digital receipts are much easier for businesses to manage and organize. They inherently streamline old-school practices of record-keeping and filing – saving a retailer time, money, and energy on many fronts, that can then be applied in other directions.
It’s convenient.
Consumers can more easily access and store a digital receipt for refunds and warranty, and it is harder to lose. They will feel more comfortable shopping with that retailer since there is less paperwork, and they will be more incentivized to keep coming back as making returns and exchanges will be simpler.
It’s smart.
Finally, when done well, digital receipts provide an overall enhanced Customer Experience. And with the right tool, they can enable a direct communication channel with customers, allow retailers to provide them with personalized offers, and make way for loyalty programs that are both better for businesses and for the customers themselves. That tool? Weezmo.
So, how exactly is Weezmo the differentiator between a simple digital receipt… and a true revolution?
Weezmo is more than just a digital receipt – it’s the evolution and it’s a smart/interactive receipt where you can do much more. It provides a complete ecosystem that enables:
- Digital Compliance, so that retailers align with new regulations seamlessly.
- Loyalty Programs, with an integrated platform for launching and managing programs that reward customers and foster repeat business.
- Post-Purchase Engagement, to engage customers beyond the point of sale with tailored promotions, feedback solicitation, and personalized interactions.
- Real insight, with a means to identify all anonymous customers, analyze performance both offline and online, and optimize campaigns.
Weezmo has proven expertise – in the form of 800+ brands that use and trust it. With its comprehensive suite of features, it is the ideal partner for retailers seeking to thrive in the new digital landscape. Its solutions mean more than mere compliance; they’re an opportunity to enhance customer relationships and drive growth. In fact, with Weezmo, retailers can expect a 20% annual increase in ROI – a truly revolutionary prospect!
The shift towards digital receipts in France represents more than regulatory compliance. It’s an exciting chance to innovate, engage customers, and foster loyalty. By choosing Weezmo, retailers can navigate this new landscape confidently, seizing the opportunity to redefine their relationship with consumers. Also, looking ahead, the shift can only be seen as part of a larger movement… in the same way that hundreds of years ago, the French Revolution started locally, but then created ripples of change across the world. It’s only a matter of time until retailers in other countries also will be facing this type of regulation – and opportunity!
To get a head start on both the regulation and opportunity – contact us here.
