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Loyalty Newswire – July 6th, 2020

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By: Wise Marketer Staff |

Posted on July 6, 2020

Enjoy this week's list of curated news:

  • Taco Bell Rewards will be released nationwide
  • Gelson's Market introducing a new rewards program
  • Expedia and Travala.com partner to start accepting over 30 different types of cryptocurrency
  • Digital Payment transactions in India rise 23% between June 3 - July 2nd
  • Walgreens partners with Microsoft and Adobe to create new digital experience
  • Why did Microsoft close all of its retail locations?
  • Uber expands delivery service with Postmates acquisition

LOYALTY PROGRAM NEWS:

Taco Bell Amps Up Digital Experience And Fan Access With New Loyalty Program

Quotable: “The brand is also launching a beta version of Taco Bell Rewards, a fire way for fans to earn free tacos (and more) for eating tacos. The loyalty program begins to rollout via the Taco Bell app nationwide in just a few weeks and free Doritos® Locos Tacos will be up for grabs just by joining the program. 'We’re excited to elevate our digital ecosystem and bring our biggest fans an even more convenient, safe, and rewarding experience at Taco Bell,' said Taco Bell’s Vice President of Digital, Zipporah Allen. 'Exclusive experiences in our app - like a free Chalupa Cravings Box and earning points towards free food with Taco Bell Rewards - are just the start of the many digital initiatives that we plan to bring fans throughout the year.'”

Gelson’s Introduces New Customer Rewards Program

Quotable: “Gelson’s has introduced a new rewards program where customers can earn points for every dollar they spend. With four different tiers (Foodie, Gourmet, Connoisseur, Epicure) come different perks, such as free items, Gelson’s brand BOGO events, a percentage off of whole store events and first to market samplers. Instacart is also integrated into the program, making it easy for customers to order online, pick up and still earn points. Gelson’s operates 27 full-service specialty grocery stores in Southern California. Each Gelson’s Market features the full amenities of a traditional supermarket, with the local flavor of a neighborhood market.”

PAYMENTS NEWS:

Expedia, Travala.com join forces to bring cryptocurrency payments to travel

Quotable: “At a time when the travel industry has been forced onto its knees due to worldwide travel bans, flight cancellations, airlines going bust, and quarantine restrictions, some companies hope to trigger growth through innovation. A new partnership between the travel giant and accommodation booking platform will now facilitate the booking of Expedia's 700,000 hotels and accommodation options on the Travala.com platform via cryptocurrency, the companies said in an announcement on Monday.”

Digital payment transactions in India rise 23% between June 3-July 2: Report

Quotable: “'With the economy inching towards normalcy, digital payment transactions have rebounded by 23 percent in the last 30 days (June 3-July 2). The overall digital transactions declined by 12 per cent in the last 101 days, compared to a 30 per cent drop in the first 30 days of lockdown (March 24-April 23),' according to a report by fintech platform Razorpay.”

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE NEWS:

Walgreens partners with Microsoft and Adobe to digitize customer healthcare experience

Quotable: “Walgreens' new personalized platforms should help it level off with competitors Walmart and CVS — both of which have recently expanded their digital healthcare services. Walmart recently acquired startup CareZone's prescription management platform to enhance its affordable primary care services. And CVS Health began working with both self-driving startup Nuro and DoorDash to respectively test prescription and non-prescription medication delivery amid the pandemic.”

RETAIL NEWS:

Why Did Microsoft’s Retail Stores Die as Apple Stores Thrived?

Quotable: “Microsoft stated that it wouldn't lay off any staff as part of the reorganization, and that it would continue paying its retail employees as they transferred to remote sales, training, and support positions. It also said it would "continue to invest in its digital storefronts" to reach over 1.2 billion people monthly in 190 markets. Let's see how this strategic shift will impact Microsoft, and why it has failed to replicate Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) success in brick-and-mortar retail over the past decade.”

GIG ECONOMY NEWS:

Uber closes Postmates deal to expand its food delivery empire

Quotable: “After months of scouring the food delivery space for a deal, Uber finally found its target, adding Postmates to its digital empire in a deal announced early Monday. The deal, announced before the Monday morning market open on July 6, has Uber buying Postmates in a deal valuing the latter at less than $2.7 billion, possibly a sign that investors' eagerness to push money into delivery apps is beginning to wear thin.”

Read last week's newswire if you missed it: Loyalty Newswire – June 29th, 2020

The Loyalty Newswire is compiled and edited by the staff at The Wise Marketer.