Photo: retailGreen

Smart receipts to boost Dubai’s retail sector

03 January 2014

by Richard Forster

Dubai will be the first city to launch ‘smart receipts’ at all retail outlets as the city seeks to align the retail sector with its smart city initiative.

Announced by the Department of Economic Development (DED), the technology allows retailers to issue receipts to customers on their phones rather than giving paper or e-mail receipts against purchases. San Francisco-based technology company, retailGreen signed a memorandum of understanding with Dubai last month.

“Dubai has gone past a milestone along the high-tech street with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum [UAE Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates] articulating his vision of a ‘Smart City’ where the public can access all government services on their smart devices from anywhere in the city,” said Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of DED. “DED is committed to take our online services to the next level. The City Smart Receipt is a solution that will increase competitiveness in Dubai’s retail sector.”

The company and Dubai government believe that the paperless receipts will make shopping easier and more fun with less paper to carry and worry about. The software enables customers to receive a receipt sent on their smart phone through an app called Receipt Box–available on Android and iPhones. The app also keeps a copy in the cloud service.

Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of DED
Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of DED

“Both retailers and consumers will benefit from the ‘City Smart Receipt’ initiative,” added Al Qamzi. “It will also enhance transparency in retailing and consumer confidence. With the smart solution in place DED will be able to issue permits for promotions online without retailers having to submit paper printouts. The real time digital record of purchases will also enable us to provide more accurate reports and assessments on consumer behaviour and business perceptions.”

Ayman Sulaiman, President of retailGreen, said that the company has succeeded in forming strategic alliances with some of the largest shopping centres in Dubai as well as in California.

“Dubai’s Smart City is a model for the world to follow, showing how governmental agencies can be as efficient, productive and environmentally-friendly as any private sector enterprise,” commented Sulaiman. “We are proud and honoured to be chosen to partake in this bold venture.”

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