Accenture to Support Business Strategy for New Mobile Payments Initiative in Aizuwakamatsu City

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has been selected by the Japan Reconstruction Agency to provide strategy consulting services to guide the rollout of a new mobile payment system in Aizuwakamatsu City to help revitalize the local economy.

The initiative involves a trial implementation for consumers to make credit card payments through mobile devices, enabling retailers who do not have credit card capabilities to benefit from mobile commerce without startup costs. The Agency hopes that by providing greater convenience to local shoppers and tourists, the system will stimulate local economic activity. Accenture will oversee the use of the new system, measure its adoption, analyze sales trends and evaluate the impact of the technology on purchasing, consumption and retail revenues. Following the assessment, Accenture will provide recommendations to implement the system on a larger scale and suggest ways to reinvest a portion of the mobile fees back into the local economy.

The technology for the trial will be provided and implemented by mobile payments company, Coiney Inc., in more than 100 Aizuwakamatsu City stores.

“Accenture will leverage its expertise and capabilities in digital technologies and business models to support the work of the Reconstruction Agency and regional revival in Japan,” said Joichi Ebihara, managing director, Accenture Strategy in Japan, who is leading the project. “In towns and cities grappling with issues such as declining populations, dwindling birthrates and an aging society, there is a great opportunity to utilize technology, such as mobile devices, to stimulate commerce and sustainable development.” Local retail stores will demonstrate the mobile payment system and begin using it at the Aizu Jyuraku event held September 21-23 in Aizuwakamatsu City’s Tsuruga-jo castle. To expand the payment system’s acceptance and implementation, there also will be an introductory seminar for local businesses on Sept. 24.