CU Partners with Japan's "Ponta Point" Membership to Enhance Benefits for Foreign Customers

Partnership with Ponta, Lawson, and 300,000 Stores
Over 120 Million Members Worldwide

On December 15, CU announced the launch of its partnership service with Ponta Point Membership, which boasts 120 million members worldwide, and the rollout of customer benefit promotions this month.

Ponta Point is a leading Japanese membership service that can be used at over 300,000 locations, including global convenience store brands such as Lawson. Its usability has expanded to various countries, including Hawaii, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

In July last year, BGF Retail signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Loyalty Marketing, the operator of Ponta Point. By becoming the first domestic offline retailer to partner with an overseas membership program, the company aims to enhance the convenience and benefits for foreign customers and maximize traffic to CU stores.

Japanese tourists visiting Korea can earn 1 point (1P = 10 KRW) for every 2,000 KRW spent at any of CU’s approximately 18,000 stores nationwide through the Ponta Point app. Existing points can be redeemed in units of 10P. In particular, Japanese customers are accustomed to the 'point rebate system,' where a portion of the payment is returned as points when paying by card or points instead of cash, so a positive response to this partnership is expected.

In the first half of next year, Koreans visiting Japan will also be able to enjoy the partnership benefits. Korean customers will be able to earn Ponta Points at over 300,000 Ponta-affiliated stores in Japan through the Pocket CU app while traveling. Depending on the partner store, customers can earn 1P for every 100 yen or 200 yen spent. The accumulated points can then be converted into CU membership points and used at CU stores throughout Korea.

To celebrate the launch of this service, CU has prepared a large-scale promotion. First, there will be a point payback event for first-time purchasers. Japanese customers who use Ponta Points at CU stores will receive a payback of 20% of their first purchase amount in points. A stamp tour event will also be held. When making a Ponta Point payment at participating stores, customers will earn 20P per store. The participating stores include seven locations popular among foreign customers, such as Myeongdong Station, Olympic Plaza, Hongdae Sangsang, and AK& Hongdae.

Additionally, CU will offer 50% discount coupons on best-selling items for foreign customers. After downloading the coupon from the Ponta Point app, customers can purchase popular products such as banana milk, almonds, and soft-boiled eggs for half price using points.

Lee Eungwan, Head of CX at BGF Retail, stated, "To enhance the convenience of domestic tourism for foreigners, we have previously introduced unmanned currency exchange kiosks, prepaid cards exclusively for foreigners, and AI interpretation services. Now, for the first time in the industry, we are offering an overseas membership partnership. Going forward, CU will continue to leverage its extensive store network to develop services that maximize convenience and benefits for foreign customers."