Top Sri Lankan supermarket Keells leads the way in loyalty with new Apadmi-built app

Keells Nexus first launched in 2000 and this move builds on existing discounts to provide a more seamless experience for customers accessing offers and deals.

Its aim is to make shopping at Keells even better by using mobile to create a personalised loyalty journey which connects online and in-store experiences and provide easier ways to earn and use rewards, track points and find partner offers.

The app is the product of a cross-continental collaboration between Keells and global mobile specialist partner Apadmi and was created by teams working across Europe and Asia.

Nilusha Fernando Head of Marketing, Keells Supermarkets & Senior Vice President, John Keells Group said: “At the heart of Keells Nexus is a simple but powerful belief that life is better when we’re connected. Working in partnership with Apadmi, we have created an app which brings our purpose to life by helping customers save more, enjoy exclusive rewards and feel part of a community.”

While strengthening the relationship with existing customers through engaging and retaining current Nexus Rewards members, the app is also expected to drive growth by reaching new customers. The launch is being promoted in all 144 Keells stores across Sri Lanka.

Creating a collaborative approach across Keells’ Colombo base and Apadmi’s European offices, the multidisciplinary team involved strategists, developers, designers and QA.

Mark Collin, Chief Growth Officer at Apadmi said: “Nexus Rewards is shaping the future of digital services and is a 'first-of-its-kind product' in the Sri Lankan market. Team members from Apadmi and Keells have worked seamlessly - the collaboration and distributed scrum approach between continents has been a joy to behold. We’re excited about what comes next. Life begins at launch.”

Osanda Warnekulasooriya the Head of IT, Retail Sector and Senior Vice President, John Keells Group added: “Working with Apadmi has been an incredible learning experience. We collaborated with true mobile experts gaining valuable insights not only into product development, but also best practices in sprint planning, UX, and digital architecture. Their expertise has helped us build a loyalty platform that’s designed for scale, simplicity and future innovation.”

Apadmi and Keells teams working together in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

This launch also marks a significant step in Apadmi's increasing global presence, having recently opened a hub in Colombo to further support Sri Lankan brands and businesses in crafting exceptional mobile experiences as demand grows in the region.