Virtual Incentives has reviewed five developments in rebate programs, drawing on material attributed to Promotion Fulfillment Center. The February 13, 2014 article focuses on how retailers and brands can connect promotional claims with digital delivery and recipient choice.

One topic is showrooming: consumers examining products in stores before looking for a lower price online. The overview describes location-based mobile rebates as one possible response, allowing a retailer to present a promotional net price while the shopper is still nearby.

The guide also recommends matching the claim process to the intended audience. Online and postal submissions serve different needs, while a branded online claim page can connect the promotion with a company's website and other offers.

Reward options include retailer gift cards and broader-acceptance prepaid products, delivered electronically or by mail. Letting a recipient choose gives the program additional information about preferences that can inform future promotions.

The article discusses using customer and engagement data to tailor offers, including purchase activity and interaction with social content. It also highlights household purchasing audiences as an area for segmentation, drawing on the marketing research available at the time.

Virtual Incentives links the discussion to its virtual Visa reward offering for corporate promotion programs. The article's focus is the connection between a qualifying purchase, claim administration and timely reward fulfillment.