Brand users of WeChat in China will now be able to offer both in-store and online purchases to people who follow their business accounts in the app.

Companies with a service account, designed to enable them to offer loyalty and customer services, can now offer a range of solutions for making payments.They include a QR code-style verification solution for transactions at the till, or online purchases made in-app.

An example already live for Pacific Coffee, highlighted by Tech in Asia, gives customers different drinks options to buy. They can then pay with WeChat Payments or Pacific’s branded prepaid card and pick up in store.

WeChat Payments have been live for some time as the apps default payment option and the company has experimented with flash sales and other promotions. Tencent offers a range of services, including a daily deals site, that could be integrated into this mCommerce platform.

This smart monetisation model could be borrowed by other social networks too.