Do you clip coupons? If so, you’re in the minority. Fewer than 1% of coupons ever get redeemed, according to coupon-processing firm CMS.

ScanAps makes a USB scanner that fits on a keychain and lets shoppers scan paper-coupon bar codes at home and download them in the store.

“We’re taking the paper out of the cycle,” says Chetty, 45, adding that today’s coupons pass through eight pairs of hands between the consumer and store reimbursement, a process that can take four months and costs an average of 24 cents a coupon.

In a late 2004 test at the Green Hills supermarket in Syracuse, N.Y., shoppers who used the device spent 8.3% more and used 26% more coupons, Chetty claims. ScanAps, which has raised $2.2 million, is discussing larger pilots with one national and two regional grocery chains.

http://www.scanaps.com