Boosting Sales by 27% Using UPay Promotions and Loyalty
At the University of Leicester, a fresh approach to customer engagement has delivered impressive results. By transforming how they use the Uniware UPay app from a basic payment tool into a strategic loyalty and promotions platform, they’ve achieved a 27% increase in sales on promotion products alone.
EPOS is more than Payment System
Initially, the UPay app served a simple purpose, to offering students a quick and easy way to pay on campus. But the university saw untapped potential. After a strategic review with their Uniware Account Manager, the team decided to take things further and unlock the app’s promotional tools to encourage loyalty, increase footfall, and drive basket size.
Step One: Rewarding Loyalty
The first step was launching a loyalty scheme, offering 5% back in points for every pound spent on campus. Feedback from students was positive. The added value of earning rewards for everyday purchases quickly resonated, leading to increased usage and engagement with the app.
Step Two: UPay-Exclusive Promotions
Building on that momentum, the University of Leicester introduced promotional offers exclusively available to UPay users. Each term, they now manage over 30 exclusive product offers, ranging from new launches and outlet-specific deals to end-of-line stock. This agile, flexible model allows the university to adapt offers in real time, based on customer trends and stock movement. Delivering a 27% boost in sales on these promotional products.
Step Three: Campaigns that Shape Behaviour
Encouraged by early success, the team began experimenting with campaign-based promotions. For example their “Go Green Week,” which aimed to promote sustainable choices and ethical product lines. The campaign led to a 20% increase in uptake, proving that the UPay platform could also be used to align commercial activity with social values.
More Users, More Engagement
Since launching the loyalty and promotional initiatives, the university has seen:
- 50% increase in UPay app engagement
- 15% growth in new user sign-ups
- Higher average spend per user
This combination of more users and deeper engagement has turned the UPay app into a high-impact channel for both communication and revenue growth.
Data-Driven Decisions
One of the key success factors has been using the insights provided by the Uniware system. By combining UPay data with social media analytics, the team can schedule messages, trigger promotions, and update campus digital screens at the most effective times.
The result is not just smarter marketing, but a measurable uplift in footfall and sales every time a campaign goes live.
Advice to others…
“Promotions and loyalty schemes work – when done right. But to get results, you need to keep it fresh. Don’t just set it up and leave it running. Update the app regularly, push out new offers, and engage your audience consistently. The data is there to guide you – use it.”
Michael La Rosa, Marketing and Communications Executive, University of Leicester Food and Drink
