Aeon Group is rolling out its electronic receipt service across approximately 4,000 stores nationwide starting June 21, extending the initiative to 19 companies within the group.

The conglomerate estimates that adopting e-receipts will save the equivalent of about 78,000 trees annually, provided 10% of consumers switch over.

The e-receipt system will digitize traditional paper receipts, which customers can access on their smartphones.

Customers can obtain e-receipts when shopping by using the barcode of the group’s comprehensive app, iAEON, at participating stores.

The app allows users to view their shopping history and save e-receipts on their smartphones to facilitate returns and act as proof of purchases.

Additionally, the iAEON app will have on-screen visualizations of the eco-benefits derived from reduced paper usage in Aeon Group stores.

Aeon first started issuing e-receipts through the iAEON app in October at Aeon Style Hamamatsu Nishiiba store in the city of Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture.

From June 21 to August 31, Aeon will incentivize the use of e-receipts through a special campaign. Customers who opt for e-receipts will receive WAON POINT rewards and have a chance to win eco-friendly goods through a lottery. Participants will earn 3 WAON points per receipt, up to 100 points per person.

In a news release issued Thursday, Aeon said it aims to encourage more customers to experience the benefits of e-receipts and understand the positive impact of their environmentally conscious choices.

The broader goal of the e-receipt initiative, according to Aeon, is to enhance customer convenience and contribute to environmental sustainability, and create a society where everyday shopping naturally leads to sustainable practices.