Google acquires loyalty company Zave Networks

Google has bought digital coupon and loyalty program provider Zave Networks. Zave's employees will join Google's Commerce team, said a Google spokesperson via email.

Zave creates a platform that marketers can use to deliver coupons and offers through online ads, quick response codes, social media, interactive TV or email. Consumers can then redeem the offers by swiping a loyalty card at the point of purchase or entering an account-connected phone number.

Grocers such as Pathmark, The Food Emporium and SuperFresh have implemented the platform in stores.

Google's commerce team engineered its mobile-payment platform Wallet and daily deals product Offers, which the company unveiled in May.

“When we had the opportunity to join Google, we felt it was the perfect fit for our company and the perfect opportunity to rapidly drive the deployment and use of our platform to the next level,” Zave said in a post on the company's website announcing the acquisition. Zave referred requests for comment to Google.

TechCrunch first reported the acquisition on September 2.