Johannesburg – eBucks today announced its expansion into the fast-growing décor and home market with the addition of Loads of Living as another retail partner. Members will now be able to both earn and spend their eBucks at Loads of Living. With nearly one million members, eBucks is one of South Africa's leading multi-partner rewards programmes.

Lezanne Human, the CEO of eBucks, said: "eBucks' members are traditionally very active with over 70% of all eBucks earned in a month being spent, which is well over the international benchmark of 60%. It is crucial that we continue to evolve the programme to give our members opportunities to spend their free eBucks on things that really make them feel rewarded. Loads of Living is a perfect partner is this regard and we look forward to a long and prosperous partnership."

Loads of Living is a good strategic fit for eBucks as it gives the programme exposure to the décor and home retail market, a fast growing retail sector. Loads of Living is a known and respected brand and the partnership demonstrates eBucks' objective of working with market leaders in different target market segments.

In an industry where so many programmes have disappointed by 'over promising and under delivering', the eBucks Rewards Programme strives to offer its members and partners real and meaningful value. Members experience value from the programme by getting relevant and tangible rewards for free, whilst partners achieve proven increases in profitability.

David Jossel, CEO of Loads of Living, said: "eBucks was the logical choice for us when we decided to implement a rewards programme. They have an excellent track record and we look forward to the benefits of the programme for us and our customers."

Human says in-store partners receive a substantial benefits from partnering with eBucks. Research has shown that the value of spend at a retail partner by eBucks members increased year on year by 30% (net real increase after inflation) versus a 5% increase for non-eBucks members.

The new partnership also presents regular Loads of Living customers with an opportunity to receive free eBucks on their home and décor purchases.

"The addition of Loads of Living also offers more value to our business members. Furthermore, Loads of Living has a large client base of guesthouses and B&B's who, as regular shoppers, would now benefit from receiving eBucks," says Human.

Loads of Living has been in the South African homeware market for the past twelve years. The company has seven lifestyle stores in Gauteng and the Western Cape.

eBucks, one of South Africa's leading multi-partner programmes with First National Bank (FNB) as its biggest partner, is part of the FirstRand group of companies. The business model is based on partner companies allocating free eBucks to their customers to reward them for their loyalty. These customers then have a variety of ways to spend their eBucks on a wide range of products and services, thereby experiencing the reward of getting 'stuff for free'.

Since its inception in October 2000, eBucks has facilitated the allocation of over R700 million worth of eBucks by its partners to their customers.

Apart from Loads of Living, eBucks can also be both earned and spent at the following leading in-store partners: Makro, Look & Listen, Avis, GardenShop, The Golfers Club, Spec-Savers, Arthur Kaplan Jewellers and World's Finest Watches.

About eBucks:

eBucks, the rewards programme offered by First National Bank (FNB) and RMB Private Bank, is acknowledged as one of South Africa's leading rewards programmes with highly active members spending in excess of 80% of the eBucks earned in any given month.