Loyalty Programs

Whole Foods announced this week that it will end its rewards pilot program and digital coupons, beginning May 2. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports all rewards must be redeemed and digital coupons used by May 1 or be lost. Any other benefits, including unused rewards, will not roll over to other accounts. The organic foods grocer…

Consumers today have seemingly endless retail options. Beyond price, product and delivery options, shoppers can choose how they communicate with their favorite brands, whether that’s through a voice assistant, chatbot, Facebook Messenger, etc. A recent study by Narvar revealed that shoppers are indeed choosing a combination of these channels and expect that brands use them…

“To fee or not to fee?” will be the question many retailers ask themselves this year, as paid loyalty programs steadily take hold. While the paid model isn’t new — Costco is a pioneer in this space and game-changer Amazon Prime launched back in 2005 — more retailers are viewing pay-to-play as a compelling option for…

Online wholesale shopping site Boxed announced yesterday that it's launching a paid membership program that will offer customers rewards and discounts. The membership program, Boxed Up, will not replace the standard free membership. However, it does offer perks, including free “priority shipping” for orders over $20, as well as 2 percent cash rewards based on…

The loyalty landscape is in the midst of significant evolution, driven by new technologies, smarter programs, and changing customer needs and expectations. In a new study released by Bond Brand Loyalty, a leading global customer engagement agency, consumers say they spend more, advocate for, and remain loyal to brands with loyalty programs that offer innovative personalized experiences in addition to points and discounts. Consumers spend 37 percent more with brands when they're a loyalty program member.

Amazon.com is offering a discount on its Prime membership to the millions of Medicaid recipients in the U.S., according to media reports, taking another step to wooing lower-income shoppers and keeping pressure on Walmart Inc. Under the offer, customers on Medicaid, the public health insurance program for low-income Americans, can get Amazon Prime for $5.99 a…

Amazon.com announced yesterday it’s expanding its delivery partnership with Whole Foods by rolling out free delivery from the grocery chain to Prime members in San Francisco and Atlanta. Recode reports orders that total at least $35 can be delivered within two hours for free through Amazon's Prime Now service, or within one hour for an…

This week, Amazon.com announced a 5 percent cash-back reward program for Whole Foods shoppers who use the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa card when making their purchases. CNBC reports cardholders who aren't members of Amazon's $99 yearly subscription service will get 3 percent cash back on their Whole Foods purchases. "We're excited to launch the Amazon…

Loyalty programs, if done properly, can transform customers into long-term fans of your business and boost revenues. Rewarding frequent shoppers with points, coupons and freebies is a great way to start. However, with so many loyalty programs out there, how do you make yours stand apart? The key is to deliver an amazing customer experience…

Everyone loves to feel appreciated, and loyalty program participants are no exception. While rewarding shoppers for ongoing engagement and purchases is generally a positive experience, it can also create moments of friction. From security concerns to an overabundance of communication, retail loyalty programs need to overcome consumer pain points to ensure success and build long-lasting connections. As 2018 unfolds, retailers should look to streamline experiences and improve value, prioritizing how to best leverage data, deliver instant gratification, and implement hyperpersonalization. Want to strengthen your loyalty game and remedy the industry’s biggest hurdles? Read on.