New smartcard aims to win back shoppers

Touch, the London-based company which devised the card of the same name, claims the public benefits in the same way as Boots' Advant- age Card or supermarket loyalty schemes. It has, said a spokesman, approached practitioners in Nottingham city centre, where the card has been launched, and is reported to be planning to launch it in 14 other cities nationwide. The Nottingham scheme rewards shoppers with a series of points for every &\#163;1 spent, which can be redeemed at a later date. In total, 150 outlets have signed up for the scheme, which started last year, and the company claims to have attracted 50,000 cardholders. Nottingham's launch has the backing of its City Council, and cardholders are also rewarded with 10 per cent off Nottingham City Council leisure facilities. 'Consumers' interest in such schemes has already been demonstrated by the huge numbers of shoppers possessing either supermarket or Boots' loyalty cards,' said a Touch spokesman.