Here's what we're following in loyalty news: Hungama Digital Media introduces loyalty program aimed at music and video streaming users, Rakuten and American Express further enhance online shopping rewards, Ulta Beauty's loyalty program thrives despite cosmetic industry setbacks, Tesco joins the masses as it releases loyalty subscription service, Wahlburgers unveils new mobile loyalty app, AI-driven discounting can enhance customer engagement, and United executives reveal their plan for 2020.
Loyalty Program Announcements
Hungama launches loyalty program for music and video streamers
Quotable: “Through Hungama Rewards, Hungama will offer its users an opportunity to redeem a wide range of products ranging from smart devices and technology accessories from brands like Xiaomi, Amazon and more, fashion accessories from brands like Fastrack, and Puma. This is in addition to Hungama branded technology, fashion and lifestyle merchandise.”
Rakuten Enables Online Shopping Rebates Through American Express Membership Rewards
Quotable: “Rakuten’s relationship with American Express is unique because of the way in which Membership Rewards users are able to leverage their points. Right now, the loyalty program is well regarded as a powerful tool to earn and distribute points to a wide spectrum of travel programs.”
Loyalty Strategy
Mastercard: It’s The End Of Rewards Points As We Know It
Editor's note: This is a fascinating article that encouraged us to add to the conversation with our own piece: Are Loyalty Points Really Dead?
Quotable: “Points are easy, so they have become ‘Chapter One’ of the loyalty playbooks for everyone,” Hondal told Webster. “To get beyond that and to start writing the next chapters, people have to operationalize all the other things that drive loyalty. To get beyond engaging the consumer with that easy but not too effective earn and burn formula — it is about rethinking the whole way they interact with the customer.”
As Cosmetic Industry Slows, Ulta Beauty's Loyalty Program Thrives
Quotable: “Ulta has built an impressive customer and loyalty reward program with 30 million members each spending an average of $200 per year, according to Coresight Research. It rewards customers with promotions, gifts with purchases, and in-store experiences that keep them coming back.”
Retail
Tesco launches new Clubcard Plus loyalty subscription service
Quotable: “Tesco said its Clubcard holders could save over £400 a year with the new service, through savings on their typical grocery shop, F&F purchases, and Tesco Mobile, as well on pet food, homeware and toys. Tesco Bank will also be joining, providing additional benefits in the new year.”
“Selling itself”: Why loyalty app UpStreet is rewarding customers with shares rather than points
Quotable: “Despite the ongoing digital wave, brick-and-mortar is far from obsolete: 90% of shoppers will make purchases from a physical store, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). The divide between physical and online sales will continue to vary by product type, with areas like food and clothing still dominated by brick-and-mortar trips, while electronics and media sales continue to migrate online, according to Periscope by McKinsey.”
Education at the Wise Marketer
Loyalty Academy Heads to Brazil
An educational seminar will be held in São Paulo in cooperation with ABEMF, Brazil’s leading association for loyalty and CRM professionals. The “Best Practices in Loyalty Marketing” educational seminar will be held on November 25-26th, 2019. Visit here for information about the event and registration. Everyone who attends will earn course credits from the Loyalty Academy, enabling them to easily go on and earn their CLMP.
Mobile
Wahlburgers Enhances Its Restaurant Loyal Club With Launch of New Mobile App
Quotable: “This week, the restaurant launched a new mobile app featuring online ordering and access to extended member benefits through its WahlClub, the brand’s loyalty rewards program. Through the new app, guests can sign up for the WahlClub and accumulate points based on purchases made either during a visit to a Wahlburgers restaurant or via online orders made through the mobile app.”
Artificial Intelligence
How AI-driven discounting leads to more effective customer engagement
Quotable: “Advanced artificial intelligence has made strides in the travel, automotive and financial services industries. The technology is leveraged in customer service through chatbots, in inventory management for product tracking and to create a more seamless experience through product recommendations. Recently, however, AI is becoming the norm in retail, with e-commerce businesses and traditional retailers adopting new technologies, leading the way for more effective customer engagement methods.”
Cards and Payments
Affinity Federal Credit Union Partners with Augeo FI for Co-branded Credit Card for New York Red Bulls
Quotable: "Affinity Federal Credit Union, the official credit union of the Major League Soccer team, New York Red Bulls, recently announced an extension of their partnership and will offer a co-branded credit card with customized loyalty program solutions from Augeo FI."
Airlines
United Execs Outline 2020 Plans
Quotable: “One of the announcements to generate the most buzz and questions was the carrier's plans to install new overhead storage on 80 percent of its mainline fleet by 2023. SVP and chief customer officer Toby Enqvist said the bins will speed up the boarding process, as the scarcity of space is the big driver of passengers massing around the boarding area to get on board first to avoid the "dreaded gate-checked bag," Enqvist said.”
The Loyalty Newswire is compiled and edited by the staff at The Wise Marketer.
