In Brisbane this morning in my Facebook feed was this ad for Tatts, for their app. The presence of the ad is a reminder of the investment by the company in promoting online. The comments on the post, and there are plenty, are a reminder of the popularity of Tatts and that punters like online and the Tatts app.
The biggest point I want to make about the app, however, is that it is not reflective of the corporate image newsagents are forced to invest in.
If I was a Tatts agent I’d want to know why the company forces me to invest in their corporate image when they do not themselves. It challenges their case to me on investing in their image.
Fantastic app. Recommend it to anyone.
The new app and also the new email advice if customer wins is a big negative for our Lotto business, a negative for us retailers who pay to have the retail image and pay the shop lease and the wages too. Both these new features, the app and also the email advice are designed to introduce customers to the idea of online play. They can now check results without leaving their armchair. It is then only a short jump to buying the lotto product online from their armchair. This disrupts our traditional customers who are habit based and check their old tickets with us and then buy new ones. Tatts have explained very little about this new strategy in their communications to retailers, leading me to think they have another agenda. An agenda that does not include me.
Evolution my man. Evolution.
Bruce it is not new. Tatts has been promoting online for several years. I have written about it here often and spoken abut it in the newsagency of the future workshops for at least the last four years.
Their App facilities have been available since last year from what I recall.
There was a discussion here early this year about ticket checking. One of my comments to newsagents complaining was careful what you wish for.
There is no upside for Tatts retailers from lottery products if the company continues with its current model. Newsagents need to factor this in to their capital investment in the category.
Andrew and Mark quite right nothing new and it is to be expected. Up till this year I have had very few customers mention online sales. This year I have had several questions asked. And a couple of customers talk about how easy it is to buy online. Interesting times ahead.
Tatts is close to 15% of its revenue from online.