Vodafone increases stake in Vouchercloud to boost mcommerce services

Vodafone has increased its stake in mobile coupon provider Vouchercloud in a move thought to bolster its mcommerce activites.

The mobile telecoms company has raised its stake in Invitation Digital Limited, parent company of Vodafone, from 21% in May 2011 to 57%. The transaction gives Vodafone the first option to increase direct shareholding in the future.

No details of the deal were disclosed.

Vodafone’s group commercial development director Tobin Ireland said: “Mobile couponing is set to grow rapidly across Vodafone’s businesses as cost-conscious consumers increasingly turn to their smartphones to hunt for bargains and collect loyalty points. We look forward to working more closely with Vouchercloud in future as m-commerce services become ever more central to consumers’ daily lives.”

Following the deal, Vouchercloud today launched in Ireland, seen as part of Vodafone’s intentions to expand the voucher company beyond the UK and Ireland over the coming months