Loyalty Programs

Years ago, grocery stores and supermarkets implemented loyalty card systems which involved issuing physical loyalty cards, which customers could present at checkout to earn points or discounts based on their purchase amount. Over time, customers accumulated points that they could redeem for rewards such as discounts on future purchases, free products, or entry into exclusive…

With so many retail options available to consumers, it’s more important than ever for brands to offer incentives to retain and grow their share of loyal customers. A tiered loyalty strategy is an effective way for brands to level-up engagement. What's a Tiered Strategy and Why Does it Matter? Customers’ expectations change over time. The…

Target on Tuesday said it will launch a paid membership program next month, riffing off the playbook of its rivals Amazon.com and Walmart, reports CNBC. The subscription-based program, Target Circle 360, will launch in early April and cost $99 per year. Target will offer a discounted rate of $49 per year as part of a…

Our rapidly digitalizing and globalizing world hasn't been kind to the retail industry these past few years, especially for brick-and-mortar stores. As a result, many retailers have begun to wrestle with questions concerning the nature of the retail experience and what it means to succeed in 2024. Despite this anxiety, brands can be sure of…

Target is considering offering customers a paid membership program similar to Walmart+ or Amazon Prime, Bloomberg reported Wednesday. The news outlet said the potential membership program would be called Project Trident and could launch as soon as this year, according to people familiar with the matter. Target shares rose 2.4 percent Wednesday following the publication…

Let’s face it: Traditional loyalty programs were designed for another age and now they’re necessarily evolving as brands recognize the need for innovative strategies to capture and keep consumers' hearts. The shift towards "surprise and delight tactics" on social media is becoming increasingly crucial in building solid customer relationships and fostering brand association — and…

Customer loyalty, like many aspects of commerce, has undergone a major transformation since 2020 — away from transactional benefits and toward enriched experiences. Before the onset of the pandemic, points redemption and “buy some get some” loyalty models were already losing out to value-focused loyalty offerings like subscriptions, design services, and member pricing that are…

Effective Feb. 1, Ikea loyalty customers will no longer receive 5 percent off on furniture and decor they purchase in-store, the company said in a press release. The discount was originally offered as part of Ikea's Family loyalty program, which gave customers exclusive officers, discounts on some delivery options, and a free hot drink at…

Loyalty is big business. In the U.S., research has shown that there are over 3.3 billion loyalty memberships. Programs span across almost all markets, from supermarkets and restaurants to beauty and hospitality. For organizations, a loyalty program that resonates with consumers can set them apart from competitors. Last year, for example, Starbucks told investors that…

In episode 418 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Lyndsie Adams, former vice president of CRM and loyalty marketing, and James Nelson, director of marketing analytics at Life Time, a chain of athletic clubs in the United States and Canada. Listen in as Adams and Nelson discuss what omnichannel personalization looks like at…