Skip to main content

Pick n Pay smart shopper adds gamification to its programme

| Innovation and technology

Pick n Pay Smart Shopper has introduced ‘Smart Hopper’ – an exciting game in its relaunched app which customers can play daily to win vouchers, helping them save even more.

The gameplay involves customers navigating through several levels, reminiscent of classic arcade games, as they hop between virtual shelves to collect products. The game gets progressively more challenging, and the rewards increase as customers unlock new levels. The enticing rewards include 5X Smart Shopper points on select products or categories, bonus points for fuel purchases at BP, and exclusive cash-off vouchers.

The game can be played daily so regular players can accumulate up to seven vouchers per week. A reward is received for each new level unlocked, resetting every Monday for customers to earn more rewards.

The ‘Smart Hopper’ reward voucher is instantly available on the Smart Shopper app to load onto customer’s cards. Customers then need to swipe their card in-store to enjoy their boosted rewards.

“In a challenging economy, customers want and need more value. Smart Hopper is good fun for customers to play – simple yet challenging. But it is also a creative way for us to engage with our customers and reward them for it, over and above the benefits our customers already get by swiping their card,” says Wayne Mhlanga, Digital Transformation Officer at Pick n Pay. Smart Shopper customers already receive various cash-off discounts when swiping their loyalty card while also earning points to use as cash back for future shops.

“The game has been a hit with thousands of customers on our app since we went live with Smart Hopper this month. We already have die-hard players who are determined to reach level 7,” adds Mhlanga.

This gamification initiative is part of Pick n Pay's broader strategy to position its loyalty programme as the most engaging loyalty programme in South Africa.

The retailer also recently introduced 'Smart Shopper Happy Hour’ on its newly relaunched Smart Shopper app. This first-of-its-kind feature provides massive discount vouchers for registered members to claim on a first-come basis and shop in-store during a specified one-hour slot. “Thousands of customers have participated in Smart Shopper Happy Hour, and over a million rand in discount vouchers have been redeemed in less than a month. We will extend some of our Smart Shopper Happy Hour vouchers this festive season to be valid for the full day for more customers to participate,” says Mhlanga. These vouchers offer huge savings. Past vouchers included R500 off a shop over R1000 and 50% off an entire shop.

The relaunched Smart Shopper app is fast becoming a compelling mobile platform to engage South Africans. It has grown its active user base tenfold since relaunching in October 2023. The app enables Smart Shoppers to engage with the programme entirely digitally if they choose to, from signing up to swiping virtually in-store.

Pin It

Related Articles

Pick n Pay asap! is bringing social commerce to grocery shopping in South Africa with the launch of Pick n Pay Inspire, a new shoppable video feed built directly into the Pick n Pay asap! app.
2026’s South African Customer Report states the tough economy and AI Search impacts sales. With a 5% inflation rate - the highest in two years - the oscillating oil price and stagnant economic growth of a meagre 1,2%, consumers are battling it out w…
Sixty60 customers can now chat to Pixie, the retailer's AI shopping assistant, using text, voice and images to get personalised shopping help, meal inspiration and product recommendations.
Woolworths is strengthening its digital retail ecosystem with My Woolies Chef, an AI-powered food assistant designed to simplify meal planning and enhance the customer shopping experience.
Woolworths is expanding its digital offering with the launch of My Woolies Chef, an artificial intelligence-powered assistant that helps customers plan meals and shop for ingredients more conveniently.