Welcome back to the Wise Marketer! That is, if you've been here before! Each week, our team of editors curate a list of the latest customer loyalty, technology, and other relevant marketing news. Our goal is to make it simple for busy professionals to quickly digest important industry news and trending topics. Show your support by joining our mailing list to gain access to exclusive content, events, promotions, and more. Or simply enjoy today's newswire!
- Flipkart Wholesale launches SaveEazy, an invitation-based loyalty program offering
- Liquid Avatar Technologies Inc introduces prepaid debit card and loyalty program for the Metaverse
- Lidl Malta announces the release of Lidl Plus, a new digital loyalty program aimed at simplicity
- Newsweek recognizes Sweet Rewards, Bruster's Real Ice Cream loyalty program, for the second year in row
- CKE Restaurants rolls out new rewards program for Hardees's and Carl Jr's
- Lego reports over $8 billion in sales during 2021
- Walmart Canada partners with GreyOrange to power massive fulfillment center in Alberta
- RBI releases new framework for geotagging of payment system touch points
LOYALTY PROGRAM NEWS
Flipkart Wholesale introduces exclusive SaveEazy loyalty program for members across its stores
Highlight: As part of its efforts to offer value with convenience for its members, Flipkart Wholesale, the digital B2B marketplace of India's homegrown Flipkart Group, has introduced an exclusive/invite-only loyalty program called SaveEazy for its members… Speaking on the introduction of the loyalty program, Adarsh Menon, Senior Vice President and Head, Flipkart Wholesale, said, “Our research shows that, for Indians, shopping is an emotional decision. Rewarding shopping invokes a positive emotional bond with the brand. The SaveEazy loyalty program is a reward offer for our loyal members, and its unique benefits provide great value and a superior shopping experience. These programs are introduced with a vision to nurture our customer relationships and make shopping on Flipkart Wholesale rewarding.”
Liquid Avatar Technologies Inc. Launches First-Ever Payment Card and Loyalty Program for the Metaverse
Highlight: Liquid Avatar Technologies, a global blockchain and fintech solutions company, focused on digital identity, integrated avatars and the Metaverse, is excited to announce the launch of the first-ever payment card and loyalty program created specifically for the Metaverse. The LQID card is a physical prepaid debit card powered by OptimizeFT's Engage360 payment card and digital banking solutions platform, available in the United States. The card can earn the holder cashback by shopping at Liquidshopz and earn points by participating in Aftermath Islands Metaverse activities... "We're excited to offer the very first payment card for the Metaverse, supporting individuals and entities as they engage in virtual activities," said Michael Konikoff, Chief Revenue Officer, Liquid Avatar Technologies Inc.
Lidl Malta launches new app and loyalty program
Highlight: In a statement, the supermarket chain said that Lidl Plus is a highly innovative app that contains promotions and features that will allow the Company to respond even better to the specific needs of its customers, without resorting to yet another plasticized loyalty card. It is in fact a fully digital service that will allow Lidl customers to have a world of benefits in a simple, practical, and fast way... “Lidl Plus demonstrates the great propensity for innovation of our company, as well as representing an important step forward to make the shopping experience of our customers increasingly pleasant and advantageous,” Lidl Malta Management said. “The Lidl Plus program will be constantly developed and improved with new features, in order to offer our customers more and more services, advantages and benefits.”
Bruster's Real Ice Cream "Sweet Rewards" Loyalty Program Again Recognized on Newsweek's List of America's Best Loyalty Programs
Highlight: For the second year in a row, Newsweek recognized Bruster's Real Ice Cream's Sweet Rewards on America's Best Loyalty Program rankings in the Catering, Restaurants and Leisure: Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt Stores category. Bruster's secured an overall score that was 6% higher from 2021. "We have seen stellar growth over the past eight years, and we wouldn't be where we are today without our loyal customers," said CEO Jim Sahene. "Across all franchises in 2021, Bruster's Real Ice Cream saw a 17% increase in same store sales. Over the past eight years, Bruster's Real Ice Cream has seen a cumulative 66% increase in same store sales.
CKE Restaurants, parent of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s, launches loyalty program
Highlight: CKE Restaurants Inc., the parent company of quick-service chains Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr., launched a loyalty program on Wednesday called My Rewards… “In today’s digital-first age, we want to reward our loyal customers in a fun and engaging way that brings craveable flavors to their fingertips and offers the VIP treatment while encouraging new guests to sign up as well,” Crawford said in a release announcing the program. “We were extremely pleased by the positive feedback from superfans in our pilot markets that gained early access to the program and are thrilled the national rollout is now here.”
RETAIL NEWS
Brick by brick: How Lego continues to build a toy empire
Highlight: Earlier this month the retailer reported that 2021 sales came in at over $8 billion. It opened 165 stores last year and is in the middle of expansion in China. Even as the world was in the throes of COVID-19, consumer sales jumped 21% in 2020, outpacing the industry's growth that year. Lego also strategically partners with other retailers and helped to create an aisle in the toy section of box retail stores, according to James Zahn, deputy editor of “The Toy Book.” An example of this was in Q4 of last year when Target announced a partnership with the toy company for the holiday season. “Our guests love Lego brick sets,” Jill Sando, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer at Target, said in a statement at the time.
Walmart Canada taps GreyOrange tech for new fulfilment centre
Highlight: The facility will be capable of: shipping 20 million items annually from the facility to Walmart customers; storing 500,000 items to fulfil direct to home and in-store pickup orders; and designed to optimise packaging, minimise waste and reduce transportation costs. It is slated to open in September and is part of Walmart Canada’s $3.5 billion investment to make the online and in-store shopping experience simpler, faster and more convenient for its customers. “The retail business is evolving and we are responding with investments in Alberta and across Canada to bolster our supply chain network,” says John Bayliss, Executive Vice President, Transformation Officer, Walmart Canada.
PAYMENTS NEWS
RBI unveils framework for geo-tagging of payment system touch points to deepen digital transactions
Highlight: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released the framework for geo-tagging of payment system touch points. The framework is part of the central bank's focus for deepening digital payments and providing inclusive access to all citizens of the country. Geo-tagging of payment system touch points will enable proper monitoring of availability of payment acceptance infrastructure like Points of Sale (PoS) terminals, Quick Response (QR) codes, etc… RBI said, “to achieve this objective, it is imperative that robust payment acceptance infrastructure is available and accessible across the length and breadth of the country.”
Did you miss the previous newswire? Stay informed: Loyalty Newswire – March 21st, 2022
The Loyalty Newswire is compiled and edited by the staff at The Wise Marketer.
