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- New Leave It To Lunchables Rewards Program is offering new members a chance to win $10,000 to cover the cost of groceries and a year-long Instacart Express membership
- White Castle's customer loyalty program starts off 2021 with a bang as it announces 20% off all orders placed through Craver Nation in White Castle’s app
- Augeo announces acquisition of Deluxe Corp's loyalty and rewards business
- AutoVitals acquires automated marketing software provider, BayIQ, to increase revenue and profitablity
- Chewy's sales continue to grow largely due to their fantastic customer service
- Burger King's first rebrand in 20 years will introduce a new visual design as they prioritize a digital-first strategy
- Amazon has filed an appeal with an Indian court regarding the ongoing dispute against its local partner Future Group's plan to sell its retail assets to Reliance Industries
- Pakistan has announced a new government-run instant digital payment system which was developed as a multi-year collaboration between the State Bank of Pakistan and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- India faces the biggest medical data breach in history as COVID-19 test results of thousands of patients were leaked via government domains
- Major players in the travel industry have paused their political donations after Capitol siege
LOYALTY PROGRAM NEWS:
Lunchables Is Covering the Cost of Groceries Plus Instacart Grocery Delivery for a Year as Part of New Rewards Program
Quotable: “From working full time to juggling virtual learning, grocery shopping, meal prep and a never-ending to-do list, this past year has required more from moms than ever before. Lunchables is here to help take one thing off moms’ plates and start 2021 off right! Beginning January 2021, the brand is offering a chance to win $10,000 for groceries and a year-long Instacart Express membership with its new Leave It To Lunchables Rewards Program.”
White Castle’s New Customer Loyalty Program Begins 2021 with Biggest Offer Yet: 20% Off All Orders Placed on White Castle App Through April 4
Quotable: “Since it was launched systemwide on Sept. 1, 2020, White Castle’s customer loyalty program has provided outstanding value to customers who have enrolled. Now, the free, app-based program, called Craver Nation®, has a new offer that will make membership even more attractive. For a limited time, both new and existing Craver Nation members will receive an offer for 20% off all orders placed through Craver Nation in White Castle’s app.”
St. Paul loyalty and reward program company Augeo expanding despite pandemic
Quotable: “St. Paul-based Augeo has acquired the loyalty and rewards business of Shoreview-based Deluxe Corp. Augeo has been growing its loyalty and engagement business at double-digit rates since 2010, organically and through a handful of acquisitions. The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly accelerated consumer purchasing trends and loyalty programs, with people placing a greater value on immediacy and value, said Augeo Chief Executive David Kristal.”
AutoVitals Acquires Loyalty Marketing Software Provider BayIQ
Quotable: “AutoVitals (“AV” or the “Company”), a leading provider of SaaS solutions to automotive repair and maintenance shops, announced today its acquisition of BayIQ, a provider of automated marketing software to the independent tire and automotive repair industry. BayIQ’s software solutions help shops build customer loyalty, increase car counts, and increase average repair order by combining their robust customer engagement platform with key features like comprehensive loyalty program management and automated service reminders.”
RETAIL NEWS:
Chewy is barking up the right tree when it comes to customer loyalty
Quotable: “Of all the items that set Chewy apart, however, none may be more important than its direct 24/7/365 customer service operation that empowers employees to go above and beyond for their customers. Examples include sending a customer flowers to congratulate them on a wedding that was mentioned on a call. Another representative sent an unused keyboard from the company’s supply closet when a customer mentioned having a broken device.”
Burger King prioritizes digital with first rebrand in more than 20 years
Quotable: “Burger King's first complete rebrand in more than 20 years comes as the fast food giant seeks to balance its heritage while looking toward what is expected to be an increasingly digital-first future. With its minimalist logo and bold color scheme, font and packaging, the chain hopes to meet the "evolution of the times," per its announcement. In addition, actual employees are featured in new advertising, tapping into consumer desire for authenticity in marketing.”
Amazon files appeal with Indian court in Future Retail dispute
Quotable: “Amazon.com Inc has filed an appeal with an Indian court in an ongoing dispute against local partner Future Group’s plan to sell its retail assets to Reliance Industries, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday. Future Group, which operates supermarkets and high-end food stores across India, agreed to sell its retail assets to oil-to-clothes conglomerate Reliance in August for $3.4 billion but Amazon has alleged the deal breached agreements Future had made with the U.S. company in 2019.”
PAYMENTS NEWS:
Pakistan government announces new instant digital payment system
Quotable: “Pakistan has announced a new government-run instant digital payment system in a bid to boost financial inclusion and government revenue in the country where only a fraction of economic transactions occur on the books. The new system, called “Raast” or “direct way”, will be rolled out in three phases culminating in early 2022, officials from the State Bank of Pakistan said on Monday. Developed through a multi-year collaboration between the State Bank of Pakistan and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, with support from the World Bank, Britain and the United Nations, one goal for Raast is to boost involvement of women in the formal economy.”
DATA & PRIVACY NEWS:
Data, Privacy, Pandemic: India just had the Biggest Medical Records Breach Ever
Quotable: “Public debate this week has been dominated by how WhatsApp compromises personal data and privacy, and the pros and cons of its competitors. On 5 January, there was a story on a technology portal about how details of COVID-19 test results of tens of thousands of patients were leaked on the net through multiple Government of Delhi domains (delhigovt.nic.in/delhi.gov.in/revenue.delhi.gov.in). Individual reports of lab tests were available as well. Yet, no media follow up happened on the issue.”
TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY NEWS:
Travel industry reconsiders political donations following Capitol siege
Quotable: “The deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last week prompted soul searching throughout the country, including the travel industry. Last week, a mob of protestors egged on by President Trump stormed the Capitol in an attempt to stop members of Congress from certifying the results of the presidential election. Now, businesses with ties to members of Congress who voted to oppose the certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s win are, in some instances, distancing themselves.”
Catch last week's Newswire if you didn't have a chance to read it: Loyalty Newswire – January 4th, 2021
The Loyalty Newswire is compiled and edited by the staff at The Wise Marketer.
