Hong Kong mobile operator SmarTone wants to give retailers in the city a Kiss, and more business

Hong Kong wireless network operator SmarTone Telecommunications wants to connect the city's retailers with consumers through a new service that ties together digital marketing and loyalty programmes with data analytics and mobile payments.

The ambitious service called "Kiss" is a ready-to-use marketing platform that enables merchants, for a monthly fee, to create their own mobile storefronts, directly communicate and interact with customers to gain a deeper understanding of what they want, and launch targeted campaigns.

At the Kiss launch on Thursday, SmarTone chief executive Douglas Li described the service as "the ultimate shopping partner" for consumers since they will get the latest information from retailers, while receiving certain rewards for every purchase made through the platform.

"Kiss puts the power back in the hands of retailers and delivers tangible benefits to their consumers," Li said. "I believe it will redefine the rules of retail engagement in Hong Kong."

The platform, which is operated by SmarTone subsidiary Kissco Marketing Services, is free to use by all consumers across all cellular networks and Wi-fi connections in Hong Kong.

It also supports the two most popular smartphone platforms, Android and iOS. The Kiss app can be downloaded from both Google Play and Apple's App Store.