Method and apparatus for defining routing of customers between merchants

A non-transitory computer readable medium for storing instructions configured to direct a processor to:

• receive, by a server in communication with a plurality of store controllers, transaction data from a customer, the transaction data received via a store controller of an outputting merchant participating in a system for providing an offer for a bonus,
• the transaction data including an indication of a purchase by the customer of an item from the outputting merchant;
• select, by the server, a soliciting merchant from a plurality of soliciting merchants participating in the system for providing an offer for a bonus, the selection based on the purchase and at least one rule for determining a respective priority for each of the plurality of soliciting merchants;
• output an offer for a bonus to the customer of the outputting merchant on behalf of the soliciting merchant;
• determine, by the server, that the customer completed a second transaction with the soliciting merchant;
• and
• provide, via the server, the bonus to the customer.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a storage device;
• and
• a processor operatively connected to the storage device, wherein the storage device includes a program configured to direct the processor to:
• receive transaction data from a customer, the transaction data received by an outputting merchant participating in a system for providing an offer for a bonus;
• receive transaction data from a customer, the transaction data received by an outputting merchant participating in a system for providing an offer for a bonus,
• the transaction data including an indication of a purchase by the customer of an item from the outputting merchant;
• select a soliciting merchant from a plurality of soliciting merchants participating in the system for providing an offer for a bonus, the selection based on the purchase and at least one rule for determining a respective priority for each of the plurality of soliciting merchants;
• output an offer for a bonus to the customer of the outputting merchant on behalf of the soliciting merchant;
• determine that the customer completed a second transaction with the soliciting merchant;
• and
• provide the bonus to the customer.