In this week's Newswire you can enjoy a curated list of the latest customer loyalty, technology, payments, and other relevant marketing news. We include a spectrum of topics, all with the intention of keeping you informed and enabling you to star in your next big meeting.
The Loyalty Newswire makes it simple for busy professionals (e.g. YOU) to quickly digest important industry news and trending topics. Keep reading!
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Stay. Loyal. Always.
- Starbucks makes rewards changes: What's your take?
- Why doesn't Trader Joe's have a loyalty program?
- Flying Blue customers warned of data intrusion
- What you need to know about Zaxby’s Zax Rewardz
- Exchange Solutions™ Named as a Notable Vendor by Forrester
- Hawaii grocer Foodland Supermarket launches Maika’I Rewards
- California city offers another example of shop-local rewards programs
- Sliversea Cruises takes a uniquely simple approach to loyalty rewards
Starbucks is retooling Starbucks Rewards – are they making a good decision?
Beginning February 13, 2023, Starbucks is retooling its redemption schedules in Starbucks Rewards. Replacing the current system, Starbucks will introduce three tiers of rewards at 100, 200 and 300 stars. Reward options are now grouped in these tiers and the shuffling creates changes that are worthy of notice. For example: customers who love a hot brewed coffee will now need 100 stars for that item, up from 50 stars today. Salad, sandwiches or protein boxes which now require 200 stars fall into the 300 star tier. We’ve written about program devaluation in the travel business recently and it appears the latest changes to Starbucks Rewards fall into this category. What’s your take?
Ever wonder why Trader Joe’s doesn’t have a loyalty program? Read this.
Ever wonder why one retailer/grocer/pharmacy has a loyalty program and their competitor does not? The answers are as varied as the brands but the best reason not to have a program is when your only reason to do so is to copy the competition. Generally speaking, if you can’t come up with an approach that meshes with your brand promise and provides a differentiating offer to customers, you can stay on the porch. Trader Joe’s has another rationale, which we found in this audio blog on their website. The transcript is here too. Some of their logic is biased and against the market grain, but it’s their opinion and that is why we share it here.
Flying Blue customers warned of data intrusion
Air France and KLM have informed Flying Blue customers that some of their personal information was exposed after their accounts were breached. Flying Blue is a loyalty program that allows clients of multiple airlines, including Air France, KLM, Transavia, Aircalin, Kenya Airways, and TAROM, to exchange loyalty points for various rewards. No official statement has been issued by the airlines but evidence forwarded by Flying Blue members to industry publications indicate that a breach took place.
Zaxby’s Zax Rewardz is on the move – what you need to know
Zaxby’s rewards program was recognized as America’s Best Loyalty Program in the Fast-Food Restaurant Chains Category on Newsweek’s and Statista’s list of America’s Best Loyalty Programs 2022. Zaxby’s was founded in 1990, is headquartered in Athens Georgia, and has grown to more than 900 locations in 17 states. It was also recently recognized by Newsweek as one of America's Favorite Restaurant Chains 2023. Zax Rewardz announced record engagement achievements just before the holidays and its worth a read to see how this chain is growing a massive loyalty program.
Exchange Solutions™ Named as a Notable Vendor in Loyalty Technology Solutions Landscape, Q4 2022 Report by Independent Research Firm
Exchange Solutions, a personalized loyalty solutions provider, has been named as a notable vendor in Forrester’s latest Loyalty Technology Landscape report, published on December 7, 2022. The report states that “due to economic pressures and capability overlap with broader martech stacks, brands are seeking more modular loyalty tech. Inflationary pressures and recession threats are leading some brands to raise prices and cut staff. Rather than duplicate capabilities (which can lead to disconnected customer experiences and erode loyal customer goodwill), more brands are seeking loyalty solutions that allow them to buy only incremental functions, using existing martech investments...”. You can read the official press release here.
Hawaii’s largest locally owned grocer launches Maika’I Rewards
Foodland Supermarket Ltd is Hawaii's largest locally owned and operated grocery retailer. Operating 31 stores today with more than 3,400 employees, the vision of late founder, Maurice J. "Sully" Sullivan, remains central to the grocer’s mission – to put customers first. The company has launched Maika'i rewards, a point based loyalty program that replaces previous coupon programs. You can read about program highlights here and checkout the program terms and conditions here.
California city offers another example of shop-local rewards programs
For the month of January, the City of San Luis Obispo, California is providing $25 gift cards to anyone that spends more than $100 on food or drink purchases at any local business. The Eat Local Bonus program is meant to support local restaurants during a traditionally slow season on the calendar. If you have followed California weather at present, you’ll know that the city can use all the help it can get. The program may be clumsy by global loyalty standards but deserves applause for its intent. For example, diners and drinkers need to retain itemized receipts and turn them into the local visitor center to receive their reward. Rewards are good “until funds run out”, which undoubtedly will leave some consumers disappointed.
Luxury cruise line Sliversea takes a uniquely simple approach to loyalty
Silversea Cruises is a luxury cruise line headquartered in Monaco. Founded in 1994 by the Vlasov Group of Monaco and the Lefebvre family of Rome, it pioneered all-inclusive cruising with its first ship, Silver Cloud. Since July 2020, it has been owned by Royal Caribbean Group. When you complete your first Silversea voyage, you are enrolled in the Venetian Society, Silversea's cruise loyalty program. The program is unique in its simplicity as there is one tier only offering up to 5% off on every cruise. Other savings offers, onboard recognition and invitations to private events are included. You can learn more by reading the program terms and conditions here.
Quote of the Week
We’re starting 2023 with a message of simplicity. Foodland Supermarket Ltd is Hawaii's largest locally owned and operated grocery retailer (above) and just launched Maika'i rewards. The late founder, Maurice J. “Sully” Sullivan had a simple belief that is foundational to the brand today “Treat our customers well and they will come back.”
Tip of the Week
Tip of the Week
The Mission: Loyalty series is back in 2023! Episode 6 will be live on The Wise Marketer Thursday January 12. In this episode, Agent Jess looks for answers on how to increase engagement and reduce dormancy in your loyalty program. The series is a creation of Antavo Enterprise Loyalty Cloud.
Miss the previous newswire? Stay informed: Loyalty Newswire – December 19, 2022
The Loyalty Newswire is compiled and edited by the hard-working, customer-centric, data-driven staff at The Wise Marketer.
