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Loyalty Newswire - September 16th, 2019

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By: Wise Marketer Staff |

Posted on September 16, 2019

As always, there is more news than we can fit into one reasonably trim Newswire. Make sure to scroll through to the bottom as lots of topics are covered. But, if you're really in a hurry, don't miss the highlights below:

PepsiCo launches a cash-back rewards program, McDonalds announces a plan to automate drive-thrus using Artificial Intelligence, Chipotle tinkers with its CX, Walmart expands its grocery delivery program, California's new privacy law set to go in effect next year, and, yes, a Travel Agent scams Delta for $1.75 million worth of frequent flyer miles.

LOYALTY PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS

PepsiCo Launches First Cash-Back Loyalty Program

Quotable: “Through the program, customers will earn cash rewards when they purchase a single-serve PepsiCo beverage and Frito-Lay snack together (each must be specially marked). They only need to scan the codes on the bag and under the bottle cap with their smartphone. Every time they accumulate $2, the money automatically transfers to their Venmo or PayPal account."

Canadian discounter takes off with mobile loyalty program

Quotable: “Customers can join and gain access to the free loyalty program by downloading the Giant Tiger mobile app and signing into the GT VIP section. After logging in, they can search their GT VIP deals, which are loaded every Wednesday with discounts on groceries, fashion, and home essentials.”

LOYALTY STRATEGY

When Loyalty Rewards Expire, So Does A Customer's Loyalty

Quotable: “Customers are very perceptive, and they understand when something is a value and something is not. One example of this is when rewards expire. From a customer's point of view, this doesn't make any sense. They earned the rewards, and now the company taking them away? That is not the basis for a positive customer experience.”

How to Recalibrate Your Brand Experience Like Chipotle

Quotable: “After weathering the E. coli storm of 2015, Chipotle hasn't just recovered. In the last four years, the brand has charted a course to success that other businesses in the S&P 500 could envy. With stock prices at record highs and a forecast predicting the creation of 140 new stores in 2019, the burrito brand's future is looking bright.”

EDUCATION

Certified Loyalty Marketing Professional (CLMP) Workshop Announced

Quotable: “For those who wish to achieve the distinction of Certified Loyalty Marketing Professional™ (CLMP) all at once, the Academy offers an annual certification workshop. This is an in-person event led by senior faculty members of the Academy over a 3-day period. The workshop is intense and covers all core modules plus some of the elective topics offered in the full curriculum.”

AI

McDonald's wants to automate its drive-thrus with A.I.

Quotable: “McDonald's hopes using artificial intelligence will not only reduce service time, but also boost profits — customers might feel less anxious and more inclined to spend when they're dealing with a robot. The company said it might also use Apprente's technology in self-service kiosks someday, and that it plans to form a new group with Apprente employees called McD Tech Labs, which will help to automate drive-thrus.”

LOYALTY FRAUD

Travel agent scammed Delta out of $1.75M in frequent flyer miles

Quotable: “Through his access, he allegedly took advantage of Delta Airlines corporate frequent flyer program, illegally reaping millions of SkyBonus points worth more than $1.75 million dollars," Chris Hacker, FBI special agent in charge of the Atlanta office, said in a statement.”

CONSUMER DATA

Yotpo's Atlas Will Feature Hyper-Personalized, Dynamic Customer Interactions

Quotable: “Atlas was announced at the sold-out Destination:D2C, Yotpo's inaugural conference. The event brought together over 400 marketers, executives, investors, and innovators that have powered the rise and success of today's most ground-breaking brands including Away, THINX, Steve Madden, Rebecca Minkoff, Verishop, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. and many others.”

Here Comes America’s First Privacy Law: What the CCPA Means for Business and Consumers

Quotable: “Friday, Sept. 13, marks the end of California's legislative calendar and, with it, the last opportunity for the tech industry to halt the California Consumer Protection Act (CCPA), a landmark privacy law set to go in effect next year. Despite a major lobbying push by Silicon Valley, the effort has fallen short, which means come the new year, Californians—and all Americans, really—will begin enjoying a broad new set of privacy rights.”

CX

Walmart Takes Its Amazon Prime Competitor Nationwide

Quotable: “After testing the grocery delivery membership program in Houston, Miami, Salt Lake City and Tampa earlier this year, it’s now expanding the program to 1,400 additional stores this fall. It plans to make the service available to half of the country by the end of the year.”

Why Successful Retailers Create Community Spaces for Customers

Quotable: “It began with “groceraunts,” but it has extended throughout the retail industry. The concept of community spaces within retail stores has been used to drive more foot traffic and offer a more complete customer experience. Whether it's a café, wine bar, bistro, or even just a sitting area with free Wi-Fi, community spaces have been helping retailers stand out from the competition and increase customer loyalty.”

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