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- Gap's new loyalty program enables shoppers to earn rewards across its family of brands
- McDonald's may be working on a new loyalty program behind the scenes
- Convenience retailer QuickChek launches loyalty program using the Paytronix-powered QC Mobile App
- Amazon has revealed October 13 and 14 as the dates for its annual Prime Day
- As discount retail thrives, Aldi's announces plans to add 4,000 new UK retail jobs
- The European Union is discussing new legislation that could force Apple to reveal its payment technology to competitors
- Hawaiian Airlines is offering optional Covid-19 testing to all passengers flying to the mainland
LOYALTY PROGRAM NEWS:
Gap Has a New Loyalty Program — Here’s How It Works
Quotable: “The retail group announced yesterday the launch of a core loyalty program, where customers can earn rewards across its family of brands. Gap Good Rewards will serve guests at its namesake chain, while Old Navy shoppers can take advantage of Navyist Rewards. The company is also offering Banana Republic Rewards and Athleta Rewards. 'We are launching ahead of the holiday shopping season as this will be the beginning of a series of program enhancements designed to bring value to our customers,' head of loyalty and partnerships Anka Twum-Baah said in a statement.”
McDonald's New Loyalty Program Could be a Game-changer
Quotable: “Though it's not yet official, McDonald's appears to be jumping on the bandwagon with plans to offer a loyalty program in the U.S. for its customers. Speculation is that it would offer special deals for repeat customers. The New York Post reported that McDonald's held a meeting with Wall Street brokers Morgan Stanley to discuss the idea. So we don't know yet what the rewards program will look like, or when it will start.”
Convenience retailer taps Paytronix platform for loyalty program
Quotable: “QuickChek Corp, a convenience market retailer, is deploying the Paytronix Systems's digital guest experience platform to launch a loyalty program. The loyalty program will boost mobile engagement with consumers which will drive visits and spend, according to a press release. QuickChek runs 160 markets through New York, New Jersey and Long Island, New York. Its loyalty program, called QuickChek Rewards, is available via the Paytronix-powered QC Mobile App that went live earlier this year.”
RETAIL NEWS:
Amazon's Prime Day highlights the huge stakes ahead for retail
Quotable: “What's happening: Amazon said Monday that it will host its annual Prime Day on October 13 and 14. The sales event, which normally takes place in mid-July, had been postponed because of the pandemic. Prime Day is Amazon's version of Christmas in the summer, and sales routinely outpace Black Friday. Coming in just before the holiday shopping season, it could help propel the company to a blockbuster fourth quarter, while encouraging other retailers to offer October promotions, too.”
Aldi to Add 4,000 U.K. Jobs as Discount Retail Booms
Quotable: “Aldi Stores Ltd. plans to create 4,000 new U.K. jobs next year as the growth of discounters boosts Britain’s otherwise shrinking retail sector. The German cut-price grocer said it will invest 1.3 billion pounds ($1.7 billion) over the next two years in opening 100 new stores, upgrading a further 100 and making other improvements. Many U.K. retailers are cutting jobs in order to survive the pandemic.”
PAYMENTS NEWS:
Apple may face EU rules to open up payment technology
Quotable: “The European Union is weighing legislation that could force Apple Inc to open iPhone payment technology to competitors. The potential rules would grant other payment services a right of access to infrastructure such as near-field communication technology embedded in smartphones, the European Commission said Sept 24, confirming a Bloomberg report last week.”
AIRLINE NEWS:
Hawaiian Airlines to Offer Passengers Drive-thru COVID-19 Tests Before Travel
Quotable: “The new program will give passengers the option of getting a PCR test either within 36 hours of their flight or on the same day. Initially, testing will be available near Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). 'As Hawai’i’s leading airline, it is critical to ensure that access to testing does not impede travel to Hawai‘i, for visitors or our kama‘āina (residents),' Avi Mannis, the senior vice president of marketing at Hawaiian Airlines, said in a statement.”
Read last week's newswire if you missed it: Loyalty Newswire – September 21st, 2020
The Loyalty Newswire is compiled and edited by the staff at The Wise Marketer.