PriceCheck and MTN to launch new co-branded price comparison app

PriceCheck today announced its partnership with MTN Group that will see the release of a co-branded version of South Africa’s very popular price comparison and shopping discovery app. With mobile being a huge player, and ecommerce on the rise, PriceCheck hopes to play a critical role in the local consumer’s shopping experience.

The partnership between the multinational mobile operator and Nasper’s owned ecommerce company underscores the importance of mobile in the retail ecosystem — not only in South Africa but the rest of the continent as well.

André de Wet, CEO of PriceCheck, said: “The partnership with MTN puts PriceCheck directly in front of end-users when they are looking for product information. We are making shopping easier and more relevant for the consumer, all the while mimicking real life behaviour.”

De Wet also shares some interesting figures, noting that “Less than 1% of retail happens online, yet as much as 40% of the buying decision process starts on mobile. We are now in a position to impact that crucial moment of influence. The future of commerce is on mobile and together with MTN, PriceCheck is closing the loop.”

The co-branded app will feature PriceCheck’s existing functionality, including product and service price comparison, product reviews, store details and a barcode scanner to double-check prices.

PriceCheck already has a footprint in African countries such as Kenya and Nigeria, with MTN operating all over Africa and the Middle-East. This deal could help the price comparison startup gain massive traction in other markets.

MTN Group Chief Commercial Officer Pieter Verkade says while South Africa will be first to receive the co-branded app,  plans “are already underway to introduce a local version of the app in other markets in the region”.

Verkade also says, “The partnership with PriceCheck marks another important step in our expansion into the digital space, particularly into ecommerce and will allow customers to find the best deal wherever they go.”

As part of the launch in South Africa, the app will be available across all MTN devices, and in app stores for Android, BlackBerry, Windows and iOS devices. The app will also be pre-loaded on the MTN’s affordable Steppa smartphone of which 60,000 have been sold since its release a few months ago.