Topics Covered
Before offers go live
Sign up for Scan Data and Engage
2. Once signed up, enroll in programs
Scan Data Programs
Engage Programs
3. Stock up on promoted products
Review the details of each upcoming promotion, including the UPCs of all of the products included in the promotion.
Make sure that these UPCs are well stocked in your location and that your POS is set up with the correct UPCs.
Are you missing products or not stocked up for an upcoming offer?
Reach out to your merchandising partner to make sure you're ready.
4. Set up discounts in your point-of-sale system
Click on your point-of-sale provider, as setting up discounts is different depending on your POS provider.
💡 Tip! Multi-unit discounts are only applicable to retailers who participate in Altria offers and receive Altria’s approval to participate in those offers.
5. Run a test transaction
Grab two eligible UPCs and scan them.
Once the items are in the basket on the point of sale, check the PIN pad.
Click “Engage,” enter in a phone number, and press “Ok.”
If you are running other loyalty programs, you may need to enter an 11 digit phone number (X-XXX-XXX-XXXX) for a discount to trigger.
On your point of sale, click “Tender” or the prompt for payment.
The point of sale should show a message saying “Loyalty Authorization.”
Once the authorization goes through, the point of sale will update the total to include the discount.
6. Verify that the discount was applied
Check the receipt for (1) the proper discount amount on each item and (2) the line at the bottom that says “Discounts Powered by Skupos.”
If you see these (2) things, then your test transaction was successful. Congrats!
Don’t see these two things?
Contact our customer care team for help troubleshooting.
7. Print & hang signage
Click here to learn how to print signage.
Where to place signage? In high traffic areas as well as directly next to your pin pad.
When customers are looking to receive discounts, cashiers can point to the step-by-step instructions.
Cashiers can also ask all users to enter phone numbers at the pin pad, to see if the user’s purchase(s) qualify them for discounts.
8. Link your bank account to your Skupos dashboard
Click here to learn how to connect your bank account.
Why do you need to do this? Once your store earns monthly reimbursements we’ll need somewhere to send the money.
9. Train your cashiers
Click here to learn how to train employees to run a discount at the point of sale and remind customers about the offers.
Any time you hire a new employee, have them run through this article so they know how to best support your customers.
10. Go live with programs!
Programs are live
For Scan programs, this is when your transactions at your point of sale qualify your store for reimbursements from brands.
For Engage programs, this is when your customers can start receiving instant discounts when they purchase product(s) at the register.
11. Check your dashboard weekly
This should be done to confirm that your Sync is online.
In the example below, this store is not live in (5) of their stores for scan data or (3) of their stores for scan data. Meaning none of their sites are online.
In the example below, this store is live in (21) of their (22) stores for scan data/Engage. Meaning (1) of this retailer’s stores is offline.
If you have a store or stores that are offline, click on the link for tips on how to get back online, based on how you set up your offers.
12. See how each of your stores is performing
Click here to see how your dashboard can show you the performance of each of your live store(s).
Do you think your store is underperforming?
Make sure signage is placed in high-traffic areas.
Check the Skupos Dashboard programs tab of your dashboard to verify you are enrolled in all eligible loyalty promotions.
Confirm you have sufficient distribution and the product(s) are easy for a customer to find.
Confirm that your cashier are asking every customer to add there phone number at the register.
And of course, make sure your Sync is always online
Set up any available multi-pack/ multi-can discounts.
Click here to learn how.
If you’re not sure what you’re eligible to offer, check with your tobacco representatives.
13. Confirm that your cashiers are asking every customer to enter their phone number at the point of sale
If consumers don’t enter their phone numbers you won’t receive maximum funds and your customers won’t receive discounts
Suggested Script?
“Please enter your phone number to unlock savings.”
Programs ended
14. Receive monthly payments in your Skupos Dashboard
Click here to learn how to move money from your dashboard to your bank account.
Best practices
To keep finding value by partnering with Skupos don't forget to:
Weekly:
Log into your Skupos Dashboard and confirm that your Sync is connected.
Without Sync connected your store doesn't qualify for payments as we won't receive the data brands require.
Monthly:
Make sure your stores are enrolled in new offers (if your store isn't set up for auto-enrollment)
That you have the sufficient distribution of products on promotion
To remind your cashiers to have customers enter their phone number
Frequently Asked Questions
Any tips on how to use my Skupos Dashboard?
Any tips on how to use my Skupos Dashboard?
Yes!
Click here to learn how to use your Skupos Dashboard.
Why Should I Purchase Scan Data?
Why Should I Purchase Scan Data?
With this solution, Skupos processes your data, enabling tobacco providers to compensate you for it.
This means more earnings for your store!
What is a Scan Rebate Program?
What is a Scan Rebate Program?
Scan data programs enable you to receive rebate payments by scanning products you already sell and enable you to offer brand-funded discounts.
Examples of these programs include but are not limited to the Altria Digital Trade Program, RMSC Retail Scan Data Program, and ITG Scan Data Reporting Program.
Why does printing signage matter?
Why does printing signage matter?
Signage motivates customers to purchase products that reward themselves.
These promotions will also increase the value they find in your store!
Why is there a separate process for setting up offers for tobacco brands?
Why is there a separate process for setting up offers for tobacco brands?
Tobacco organizations have strict regulations they have to follow, so they require a separate process.
What kinds of promotions will I have access to, once I participate in Engage?
What kinds of promotions will I have access to, once I participate in Engage?
Click here to learn about each offer type Skupos supports.
What if I want to change my enrollment status?
What if I want to change my enrollment status?
Click here to learn how to review and/or edit your engage enrollment status.
Any tips for how we can increase the amount of money our store earns monthly?
Any tips for how we can increase the amount of money our store earns monthly?
Yes!
Click here to learn how to earn more in monthly reimbursements.
Any tips for how to get Skupos Sync back online?
Any tips for how to get Skupos Sync back online?
Click here for additional tips on how to make sure Sync is online.
Remember, if Sync is online, your store can receive reimbursements from brands for your scan data and / or promotions.
Does Skupos provide support for Clover?
Does Skupos provide support for Clover?
No. As of January 1, 2025, Skupos will no longer provide support for Clover.