A Plymouth University graduate has launched a new retail incentives and reward scheme developed specifically for students and young people.
Josh Collyer first developed the idea for GIMMEA, while studying on the BSc (Hons) Digital Art & Technology course.He recognised there were various student discount schemes already available, but wanted to combine good deals with rewards, taking an established idea and making it better.
The finished website enables retailers to promote their latest offers and incentives, while subscribers and followers on social media receive regular updates on the latest promotions.
They will also discover Buying Guides, Lists and Blog posts containing useful ideas and inspiration for saving money, looking great and surviving student life. Users can also create their own digital shopping lists, making it less awkward to ask family and loved ones to help buy the things they really need – and every purchase earns rewards points.
Josh says:
“During my course, we were encouraged to research how technology can be used for commercial advantage and ways it can improve society. I created GIMMEA because I recognised an opportunity to offer students the great deals that they expect to find online, but with the opportunity to earn additional rewards. While discount sites and loyalty schemes exist, I couldn’t see anyone doing both. I love technology and what it’s enabling us all to do and I can’t see any limit on what we can achieve.”
The website was launched during the 2016 Freshers Fair at Plymouth University, with a series of competitions and incentives proving a big hit with new students.
And with a memorable name, designed to allow the company to expand into other areas, Josh is confident it could have a bright future. He adds:
“We’ve launched with an incentives and rewards scheme, where it’s GIMMEA discount, GIMMEA good deal or GIMMEA great offer. But in the future we hope to extend what we do to provide a service for people asking GIMMEA job, GIMMEA new house or even GIMMEA boy or girlfriend. We also hope to build a community of users sharing deals, style tips and generally any good idea that can help save money. And we’re investing heavily in our Blog and social media activity as we want as many people as possible to join us and start sharing what they know.”
