Columbus beta expansion includes MCX’s CurrentC payment platform.
Merchant Customer Exchange’s (MCX) mobile payment platform, CurrentC, can now be used at participating Kmart, Sam’s Club, Sears and Walmart locations around Columbus, Ohio. This move comes as part of an expanding beta in the city.
The beta will soon grow to include select local Exxon, Mobil and Shell fuel stations, MCX CEO Brian Mooney said. The Columbus beta launched in September at CVS/pharmacy, Giant Eagle, Giant Eagle Market District, Target and Wendy’s.
Mooney made the announcement during his keynote speech at the Electronic Transaction Association’s (ETA) Strategic Leadership Forum. CurrentC combines users’ payment and loyalty rewards accounts, allowing them to pay and save in one seamless transaction from virtually any smartphone at leading retailers, grocery stores, restaurants and fuel stations.
Speaking to an audience of payment industry insiders and analysts, Mooney discussed MCX’s progress in bringing CurrentC to market. He was candid in addressing past challenges, as well as the wealth of valuable insights MCX continues to gather as its Columbus beta grows.
Mooney explained how MCX’s overarching mission – catalyzing a change in consumer behavior by providing clear value incentives – has informed MCX’s broader strategy in creating a secure and convenient mobile payment solution for consumers. “Our goal is to deliver real value to consumers, incentivizing them to use, and keep using, CurrentC,” Mooney said (according to prepared remarks). “By creating the best experience for consumers at every merchant in our network, we think CurrentC can bring consumers and merchants closer together by delivering meaningful and personalized experiences.”
Mooney also highlighted that, “CurrentC can deliver coupons for particular items, and apply merchant incentives in one seamless transaction. By implementing merchant specific programs, merchants are able to offer incentives or rewards that provide the most value for both merchants and consumers.”
“CurrentC is simple to use, secure, and the folks in Columbus are very accepting. As one customer told us, ‘I really like the direction CurrentC is going in. As a mom with four kids in my house, I’m always looking for ways to save – money and time too…I think I’ll use CurrentC every day, even though I never considered a wallet in my phone before,’” Moony added.
“We are happy to hear this type of feedback, and excited to hear even more from consumers about the types of features and experiences they are looking for in a mobile payment platform,” Mooney concluded.
Consumers in Columbus can now use CurrentC at nearly 150 participating CVS/pharmacy, Giant Eagle, Giant Eagle Market District, Kmart, Sam’s Club, Sears, Target, Walmart and Wendy’s locations in total, with select local Exxon, Mobil and Shell fuel stations joining the beta in the coming weeks. The consortium of many of the most popular merchants in the U.S. is also expected to soon announce additional retailers that will participate in the Columbus beta.
