Abstract:
A method of providing rewards to a customer based upon purchasing multiple items. The method comprises offering a group of multiple products for sale, providing a reward to the customer for each product of the group that is purchased, and providing a bonus reward to the customer when each product of the group is purchased.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/216,538, filed Aug. 30, 2005, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING SAVINGS BASED UPON COMBINATION PURCHASES AT A RETAIL LEVEL,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 60/606,191, filed Aug. 31, 2004, entitled “Systems and Methods Providing Instant Combination Savings at a Retail Level.” The disclosure of each of the above references is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to systems and methods for providing savings to consumers, and more particularly, to systems and methods for providing instant savings to consumers where the savings are provided based upon combining purchases. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Competition at the retail level is very intense, especially in the grocery industry and the pharmaceutical industry. This is specially true given the increased popularity of what are often referred to as “big box” stores. Therefore, in order to entice customers, sales are often promoted and coupons may also be issued. However, this cuts into the bottom line for these stores since they generally have to pay for these programs themselves. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides a system where consumers are rewarded for purchasing a group of products. Generally, the reward is in the form of receiving bonus products for free or at a special rate, thus providing “reward” savings. Generally, the products that need to be purchased in order to earn the reward savings are a national brand. The national brand company generally pays for the bonus savings. 
         [0007]    Broadly, the present invention provides a method of providing rewards to a customer based upon purchasing multiple items. The method comprises providing a first reward to the customer for purchasing at least one first item, providing a second reward to the customer for purchasing at least one second item, and providing a bonus reward to the customer for purchasing both the first and second items. 
         [0008]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the first, second and bonus rewards are reduced prices for other products. 
         [0009]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the bonus reward is a deferred reduced overall price. 
         [0010]    In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the bonus reward is an instant reduced overall price. 
         [0011]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, at least one of the rewards comprises free merchandise. 
         [0012]    In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the first and second items must be purchased together in order for the customer to receive the bonus reward. 
         [0013]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the first and second items may be purchased at different times in order for the customer to receive the bonus reward. 
         [0014]    More particularly, the present invention provides a method of providing rewards to a customer based upon purchasing multiple items where the method comprises offering a group of multiple products for sale, providing a reward to the customer for each product of the group that is purchased, and providing a bonus reward to the customer when each product of the group is purchased. 
         [0015]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, each product of the group of multiple products must be purchased together in order for the customer to receive the bonus reward. 
         [0016]    In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, each product of the group of multiple products may be purchased at different times in order for the customer to receive the bonus reward. 
         [0017]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the multiple products for sale are organized under a theme. 
         [0018]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the bonus reward is tiered. 
         [0019]    In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the bonus reward is tiered based upon preferred customer levels. 
         [0020]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in view of the following detailed description of preferred exemplary embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is an example of an advertisement for a savings program based upon multiple purchases in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is an example of another advertisement for a savings program based upon multiple purchases in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is an example of another advertisement for a savings program based upon multiple purchases in accordance with the present invention; and, 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is an example of a display for a savings program based upon multiple purchases in accordance with the present invention; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    The present invention provides a program for retailers wherein reward savings are offered based upon purchasing multiple products, preferably national brand products. Preferably, the national brand companies pay for the reward savings by reimbursing or directly paying the costs to the retailers. 
         [0026]    For example, it may be seen that with the program illustrated in  FIG. 1 , if a consumer buys two cartons of Kellogg&#39;s Pop Tarts  10 , they are entitled to receive two free bottles of Pathmark fruit drinks  11 . If a consumer buys two Nutra-grain cereal bar packages  12 , they are entitled to two free packages of Pathmark lunch bags  13 . If a consumer buys two six packs of drinks  14 , they are entitled to two dollars off a package of Wise Snacks  15 . If a consumer buys a 
         [0027]    Kellogg cereal value pack  16 , they are entitled to two dollars off Pathmark milk  17 . Finally, if a consumer purchases three packs of Kellogg&#39;s fruit snacks  18  or fruit twistables  19 , they are entitled to two dollars off two Hi-C Blast drink packs  20 . Thus it can be seen that rewards may be in the form of free merchandise or in the form of reduced prices. 
         [0028]    Furthermore, one can see that with this program, savings are realized by a consumer if they buy a combination of products. 
         [0029]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, if one were to take advantage of all of the offers outlined above and in  FIG. 1 , then one would be entitled to a bonus reward. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 1 , if a consumer were to take advantage of all of the individual savings, they would save $9.74 and they would be entitled to a bonus reward, which in this example is an additional $10.26 savings, or bonus savings, to provide a total savings of $20.00. 
         [0030]    The bonus savings may be provided by providing $10.26 off of the total current order, $10.26 directly to the consumer, or by providing a credit of $10.26 towards a future purchase or order. This is at the discretion of the retailer, who may make various rules or may leave it up to the consumer. 
         [0031]    Also, preferably in order to qualify for the bonus savings, all individual offers must be purchased at once. Additionally, if a retailer has a savings card-type program, then the retailer may use this program to control how to get the bonus, i.e., next visit, next visit to a certain department, the current visit, etc. Additionally, such a program would allow for the bonuses to be tiered. For example, as may be seen in  FIG. 2 , a retailer&#39;s customers who have a platinum savings card would receive a ten dollar bonus  30 , those having gold savings card would receive a five dollar bonus  31 , and those having a silver savings card would receive a two dollar bonus  32 . If desired, customers without savings cards, for example new customers, may receive the silver card bonus savings or an even lower bonus. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  illustrates bonus reward  40  being provided in the form of a reduced price for an order of meat. The reduced price may be for use on the current order or purchase, or for use with a future order or purchase. This is at the discretion of the retailer, who may make various rules or may leave it up to the consumer. 
         [0033]    Preferably, the individual savings offered are grouped under a common theme such as a football or tailgate party, a back-to-school savings, a Super Bowl party, a holiday party, holidays in general, healthy eating, beauty, etc.  FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate a Memorial Day theme example. 
         [0034]    Thus, the present invention provides groups of offers that are preferably sponsored by manufacturers of national brands that appear in retailer ads. Generally, these groups of offers will last one week. These ads may appear in various forms such as, for example, newspaper, mail, internet or websites, in-store ads, etc. Such programs are used to draw in good customers or new customers. If the savings are coupled with in-store brands or retailer brands, then the program can also be used to help promote the store&#39;s own brands or perimeter departments by offering savings in various departments, such as, for example, the produce department, meat department, floral department, deli, bakery, etc. 
         [0035]    Such a program helps retailers compete against “big box” stores, provides the retailers access to national marketing funds of manufacturers or national brands, and may be used to help promote their own brands. 
         [0036]    Preferably, a savings program based upon multiple purchases in accordance with the present invention would be run every two weeks and themes would change. Preferably, each individual offer provides approximately a twenty percent savings per offer. 
         [0037]    Another feature that may be provided with the present invention is that for each individual offer purchased, a consumer may be entered in a drawing or contest. 
         [0038]    The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.