Here’s what we’re following in loyalty news: Foot Locker unifies loyalty programs with FLX, Enmarket launches new program with integrated payment option, Vodafone backs out of Facebook's Libra cryptocurrency association, Dubai plans to become the first blockchain-powered city, Accor creates unique fan experiences through its ALL initiative, Hilton achieves record-breaking growth for its 100th year anniversary, Kohl's and Weight Watchers roll out pop-up shops focused on health and wellness, eye-tracking and facial recognition are on the forefront of retail innovation, Boot Barn sustains growth as it continues to buy out competitors, and what is the future of sustainable air travel?
And if you missed it, here's last week's loyalty newswire.
LOYALTY PROGRAM NEWS
Foot Locker Has a New Loyalty Program With Plenty of Perks
Quotable: “The most notable thing FLX offers that Foot Locker’s prior loyalty program didn’t is unity. With FLX, the athletic footwear retailer will abandon the banner-specific loyalty model driven by discounts that it once had and unify all of its stores including Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Footaction, Eastbay and Champs Sports.”
Enmarket Rolls Out New Loyalty Program With Payment Option
Quotable: “Bringing the program a step further, Enmarket's Enjoy Rewards features a payment option, enPay. Customers who pay for fueling up with enPay earn 10 cents off each gallon in the transaction. The enPay card allows customers to make transactions using a secure PIN after linking the card directly to their checking account, according to the convenience store retailer.”
PAYMENTS NEWS
Five Firms Abandon Facebook’s ‘Libra’ Currency, as Vodafone Announces Exit
Quotable: “Vodafone joined the growing list of Libra Association members, which have abandoned their quest to be part of a cryptocurrency projected to revolutionalise the currency world due to its backers. Before Vodafone, Paypal and eBay had also withdrawn their roles in Facebook’s digital currency.”
BLOCKCHAIN NEWS
Inside Dubai’s Quest to be the First Blockchain-Powered City
Quotable: “The Emirates Blockchain Strategy 2021 focuses on four main themes: happiness of citizens and residents, elevating government efficiency, advanced legislation, and international leadership. Together with the World Economic Forum, the UAE hopes to continue shaping the trajectory of blockchain deployment by using the best methods and minimizing the risks for the deployment of the technology.”
HOSPITALITY NEWS
Six Accor Live Limitless Programme Members To Unveil Paris Saint-Germain's New Shirt
Quotable: “This activation campaign reflects the shared ambition of Paris Saint-Germain and its major partner ALL to make fans the focal point of their marketing initiatives and to offer them exciting new experiences, reflecting a new vision of hospitality that goes beyond accommodation.”
Hilton Delivers Record-Breaking Growth and Positive Impact in 100th Year of Hospitality
Quotable: “‘Hilton’s growth and performance are a testament to our resilient business model,’ said Kevin Jacobs, chief financial officer, Hilton. ‘In addition to our record-breaking growth across approvals, construction starts and net units, we are delivering on our commitment to serve any guest, anywhere in the world, for any travel need.’”
RETAIL NEWS
Kohl’s, WW Roll Out Wellness Pop-Up Shops
Quotable: “Kohl’s and WW are launching WW pop-ups in select stores this January to support customers on their wellness journeys ... These in-store experiences give customers the opportunity to shop WW products, speak with a wellness coach, sign up for a membership, or simply learn more about WW’s program.”
Eye-tracking and Facial Recognition Symbolizing the Upcoming Retail Tech Wave
Quotable: “Retail facial recognition connects loyalty program names and credit cards to customers having mixed results. Concerns about data privacy are referred to as the main factor that can make some consumers hesitant to use the system. Only about 20% of the restaurants’ customers actually opt into facial recognition for checkout and order.”
Boot Barn Is On Track To Double Its Retail Footprint, Buying Up Competitors Along The Way
Quotable: “Hats off to Boot Barn for really understanding its customers’ lives and values. It calls itself a “genuine lifestyle retail brand,” that trades on its “extremely loyal customers seeking authenticity.” Many of those extremely loyal customers are members of its B Rewarded loyalty program, which number over 4 million. CEO Conroy shares its loyalty program accounts for a majority of company sales and growth.”
AIRLINE NEWS
The Future of Sustainable Air Travel: How Airlines (And You) Can Fly More Efficiently
Quotable: “The amount of waste created on airplanes—uneaten food, plastic cups, utensils, straws, plastic coverings on blankets, and other items given on board—plays a substantial role in the aviation impact. Qantas, for example, generates more than 33,000 tons of waste per year on flights. By 2021, however, the airline plans to reduce that waste by 75%, which would also include the elimination of up to 100 million plastic items used in lounges across the world.”
The Loyalty Newswire is compiled and edited by the staff at The Wise Marketer.
