Retailers have been urged to prepare to accept digital newspaper vouchers by setting up the relaunched i-movo xPress app. 

Stores must have PayPoint, Payzone, Epay or the i-movo xPress app, or else be unable to accept the growing number of digital newspaper voucher customers. 

David Tymm, founder of i-movo, said: “We feel it is very important for retailers to have a free-to-use i-movo option as we know there are many newsagents and hospitality locations that sell newspapers, so will need to accept i-movo newspaper subscription cards as the industry moves away from paper vouchers, but don’t have a terminal in store.” 

The relaunch of the i-movo Xpress app was spurred by the previous version becoming unavailable to download on Apple and Google’s app stores. i-movo’s statement said the relaunched app has the same “look and feel”, adding that “existing users will feel comfortable that the functionality and behaviour works as they are used to”. It also stated that updates to the underlying code meant the app was “futureproofed for many years to come”. 

Andy Law, account director for Daily Mail Group (DMG), said the relaunched app was “fantastic news” which will allow DMG to “grow the network of retailers able to accept and process the Mail Subscriptions Card and HND letters”. He added that the app is “a vital solution for those retailers not currently able to process the cards”. 

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The app redevelopment was led by home-news-delivery software provider PaperRound. The company’s managing director, John Harris, said: “The updated i-movo xPress app means all retailers can accept i-movo vouchers, even if they don’t have one of the till systems or terminals where i-movo is built in.” 

To use the app, retailers download it onto their device and register using the address of their store and a valid business bank account. 

“Once registered, they will appear on our store locators for readers to identify their local participating retailer,” Law said. “The app provides a solution that is simple and quick to use, and ensures retailers are paid weekly while also saving them administration time on voucher processing.” 

A spokesperson for the Guardian added: “Digital subscription vouchers are a key part of our future strategy to move away from paper vouchers, and will deliver greater convenience for both customers and retailers as well as improving the sustainability of our newspaper supply chain. Retailers who process i-movo card transactions can also claim enhanced margins on every copy of The Guardian and The Observer they sell.” 

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