eBucks, the rewards programme for the FirstRand Group and MTN, has reached a partnership agreement with Arthur Kaplan Jewellers, making them a new Earn partner. As a result, 20 000 new members will be added to the eBucks customer base, keeping eBucks well on track to reach its end of year target of 500 000 customers.

eBucks is moving to diversify and expand its current customer base of over 430 000 with its first retail earn partner, Arthur Kaplan Jewellers. Since its launch in October 2000, eBucks has focused on financial and communication customers through its partnerships with the FirstRand Group and MTN, however, this move into the retail sector is in keeping with its current business strategy of increasing cross-sell opportunities for Earn partners and enhancing the product offering, thus ensuring the retention of customers.

Before the end of November, 20 000 of Arthur Kaplan's premium customers will be added to the eBucks stable and all eBucks customers will be able to earn eBucks by spending with Arthur Kaplan Jewellers and World's Finest Watches. There is now over R90 million in the eBucks pool available for members to spend, which, in a time of higher interest rates and less disposable income, will offer customers an alternative form of expenditure over the festive season.

Justin Divaris, Managing Director of Arthur Kaplan, said: "We have already been operating as a Spend partner with eBucks, however, this extension to the relationship presents a synergy that enables our customers access to the Earn and Spend opportunities of eBucks while affording us exposure and access to the rapidly growing eBucks customer base. We feel that the alignment with a successful rewards programme such as eBucks will greatly assist us in offering our customers a more rewarding experience and ultimately retain them."

Deon Olivier, head of the eBucks Rewards Programme, said that with the growing strength of eBucks, it is now appropriate for the business to extend its reach to the retail sector and establish a 'real world' presence, thereby diversifying its customer base and enhancing the earn opportunities for eBucks' members. "We have strong relationships in place with our financial and communication partners and the time is now right, especially with the festive season on the horizon, to establish a retail earn partner of this calibre and are therefore delighted to have Arthur Kaplan Jewellers join the eBucks Rewards Programme

About eBucks:

eBucks, the rewards programme offered by First National Bank (FNB) and RMB Private Bank, is acknowledged as one of South Africa's leading rewards programmes with highly active members spending in excess of 80% of the eBucks earned in any given month.