Appleby Westward’s company-owned Gillett’s stores have gone live with Zapper, the phone app-based payment, loyalty and instant rewards platform.

Initially available in a selection of stores in the Plymouth and Exeter areas, the sites are the first UK Spar stores to use the system. Zapper is already in use in several Nisa stores and Booker-supplied outlets, as well as a growing number of cafes, bars and restaurants.

To use the shoppers simply open the app, scan a QR code at the till and payment - including voucher redemption and loyalty card updates - is processed in just a few seconds. The company claims 46% of Zapper customers have completed a loyalty card in convenience stores around the UK since launch in December 2016.

Spar UK retail director Ian Taylor said: “Working with Zapper means that customers are motivated to shop at Spar rather than at a competitor store. Our customers have many great reasons to shop with us and there are enormous benefits to retaining and rewarding them.

“We continue to develop exciting modern and relevant convenience stores, and Zapper mobile payment rewards loyalty and enables our customers to pay for their goods faster which in turn will encourage repeat use in-store.”

Jon Birt, retail director at Zapper UK added: “We are Spar UK’s first app partner to deliver a seamless loyalty and smarter marketing platform. This will further assist retailers in understanding today’s convenience shopper’s needs, all delivered by the ease of quick mobile payments.

“With the average shopper spending £8.47 when they pay with the app, it is clear Zapper is transforming the way shoppers pay and receive rewards.”