By: Doug Baker, Vice President, Industry Relations, FMI
At FMI's Midwinter Executive Conference, the FMItech Pitch Competition showcased groundbreaking innovations in food retail technology. Among the pitch finalists, Eric Senn, co-founder and CEO of Badge, presented a compelling vision that resonated with the audience and judges alike. His presentation highlighted the transformative potential of Badge's mobile wallet automation platform, ultimately securing him the top honor in the competition.
Badge offers a developer platform designed to streamline the creation of interactive experiences within Apple, Google and Samsung mobile wallets. By providing a no-code user interface, robust APIs, and an embedded wallet platform for point-of-sale and software-as-a-service companies, Badge enables retailers to accelerate the development of digital loyalty cards, gift cards, event tickets and more. The flexible implementation allows retailers to engage customers through personalized push notifications, location-based targeting and seamless integration with existing systems like customer relationship management and marketing platforms.
Badge's technology transforms how grocery retailers interact with their customers, making the shopping experience more seamless, personalized and rewarding. By eliminating the need for physical loyalty cards, paper coupons or separate apps, Badge integrates rewards and savings directly into the mobile wallets shoppers already use. This means customers using mobile wallets at checkout have on average, a 25% increase in Average Transaction Value, alongside fewer forgotten discounts and a frictionless redemption process that encourages repeat visits. Badge enables customers to receive timely notifications about exclusive deals when they're near a store, as well as personalized promotions tailored to shopping habits. This level of convenience and customization strengthens customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. Reflecting on the journey that led to this achievement, Senn shared his motivation behind founding Badge:
We started Badge to bridge the gap between traditional retail experiences and the digital expectations of today's consumers. Our goal is to empower retailers to connect with their customers more meaningfully and personally through the power of mobile wallets.
The Takeaway for the Food Industry
Retail technology is no longer a luxury — it's a necessity. The ability to leverage digital tools to personalize the customer experience, streamline operations and drive loyalty will separate successful retailers from the rest. Innovations like Badge demonstrate how embracing technology can turn everyday interactions into meaningful engagements that keep customers coming back.
Winning the FMItech Pitch Competition validates Badge's innovative approach and underscores the growing importance of digital solutions in the retail sector. As grocery retailers continue to seek ways to stay competitive and meet evolving consumer demands, integrating technologies like Badge can be a pivotal step toward achieving these objectives.
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