Why do retailers ask for your phone number?

When you checkout at the store have you ever been asked…

"Can I have your phone number, please?"

Why do they ask for your number? What are they doing with it?

“It's so we can send you offers, coupons, et cetera, and we don't sell it to third parties, I'd say the majority of people like getting coupons."

Companies that specialize in enhancement can generate things like marketing profiles, credit reports or background checks on individuals. The retailer sends the database company the full list of phone numbers and receives back the same list, but enhanced with demographic information -- addresses, information about interests and hobbies, information about whether there's children in the home, et cetera".

There is such a fine line of how I feel about privacy rights of the consumer and the advantages of marketing profiles that companies can build to market you the right products. No one likes to be ‘monitored,’ but at the same time- you gotta think, it’s also convenient to see products and services you would be more interested in buying based on what you’ve purchased before.Click here to read the full article.