New Change Up app at k kiosk: no coins, no stress and the chance to do good

Valora is improving the shopping experience of its customers in Switzerland thanks to a further digital service. With the new 'Change Up' app, customers can virtually load their change to their smartphone in a simple manner when making cash payments at k kiosk, Press & Books and selected avec outlets. The amount can then be used again the next time they make a purchase. Alternatively, it can also be deposited directly to the customer's own bank account. As a further option, customers can use the money for a good cause and donate directly to the children's rights organisation Save the Children.

Quick, free and practical

When paying at the cash register, money is transferred in a matter of seconds by scanning a barcode displayed in the app. This function can be used both to load change to the customer's smartphone and to make payments via the app. To make a donation or to transfer the change you would have otherwise received as cash to your bank account, only a few additional details are required, which can be entered directly in the app.

In use across Switzerland from 30 April

The Change Up app can be downloaded free of charge in the App Store or Google Play and can be used immediately after completing the simple registration process. From 30 April 2018 it will be possible to use the app in more than 1,000 points of sale of k kiosk, Press & Books and avec across Switzerland. The app has been developed by the start-up company Change Up from Australia. It is planned to add further business partners and charitable organisations to the app and in doing so to further expand the options available to customers.

'Change Up fits perfectly with our strategy of increasingly offering customers digital payment options. With the virtual and real exchange of coins, the online and offline worlds are combined in an innovative and efficient manner. The most important thing is that this allows us to make shopping easier for our customers and also to enable them to save small amounts or use them for a good cause - just as has been the case until now with real coins,' says Oliver Kneier, Head of Retail Service Projects at Valora Switzerland.

Ömer Güven, CEO of Save the Children Switzerland, says: 'We are delighted about the collaboration with Valora and Change Up which makes donating simple and easy. Save the Children appreciates every coin that is donated to support disadvantaged children around the world.'

'The fact that we are able to launch a solution which is unique in Switzerland makes us proud. Thanks to the cooperation with Valora and Save the Children, the app will reach a wide audience. We are convinced that we will make shopping easier for users and that we will in future gain further partners for the Change Up app.' says Vlad Shchelkunov, CEO of Change Up.

Link to video on Change Up: www.changeup.com.

This media release is available online at www.valora.com/newsroom.