Zapper runs into trouble, lays off staff

Mobile payments/loyalty app startup, Zapper, has made a number of its UK staff redundant and put on hold roll-out plans with the likes of Gillett's Spar.

In a LinkedIn post, Mal Saphiris, who held the position of Account Manager, said: “Waking up this morning, looking forward to going to work, the last thing I envisaged was being made redundant by 1pm. Genuinely saddened at the news that after almost two years in a job that I loved I, along with many others, would no longer be working for Zapper with immediate effect. Still hasn't really sunk in… I would like to thank everyone at Zapper for giving me the opportunity of working with some great people in a job I enjoyed thoroughly. Alas, some things happen that you just don't see coming.”

Saphiris added that, while he loved the Zapper concept, it “was just too soon for the UK market”. Pressure from investors has resulted in the venture overhauling its sales model. It says that, rather than dealing directly with retailers, it will now focus on delivering its platform "via the many retail and technology partners we are currently working with. Users will still be able to pay with Zapper in their local store and we will endeavour to provide the utmost support as we move forward."

Zapper UK CEO, Gerry Hooper, comments: "Following a successful launch in the convenience retail sector in 2017, we have seen encouraging adoption from many retailers and consumers nationwide. Looking ahead for 2018, it’s clear as a growing business looking to transform the market, we needed a more sustainable sales model. We therefore made the extremely difficult decision to reduce our field operations and would very much like to thank all those involved in creating a market leading digital loyalty and payment solution."