Enjoy another curated list of news from the Wise Marketer team! Here's what we're following this week:
- Pedigree covers dog adoption fees with new One True Loyalty Program
- Michaels Rewards program has expanded to provide members more ways to earn
- ExxonMobil adds Frequent Filler bonus to Mobil Rewards+ loyalty program
- Burberry heads to China to test its first 'social retail' store
- Will social media influencers make consumers feel safer about shopping in-store?
- Simon Properties has reached an agreement with Amazon to transform some of its department stores into distribution or fulfillment hubs
- Facebook's new financial group will unite the company’s various commerce projects under one roof
- Kroger pilots contactless payment options including Apple Pay and Google Pay at 61 stores
- New agreement enables Choice Privileges members to earn and redeem points at over 50 AMResorts
LOYALTY PROGRAM NEWS:
New Loyalty Program Rewards Members With The Unconditional Love Of A Dog
Quotable: “The One True Loyalty Program launches on the heels of the PEDIGREE brand's "Dogs on Zoom" initiative, where the brand partnered with shelters across the country to host virtual adoption events to support safe and socially distanced adoptions. With the country continuing to navigate pandemic life, it's an ideal time to consider adding a four-legged member to the family.”
Michaels Revamps Loyalty Program to Reward Customers for Making More
Quotable: “The launch will allow Michaels Rewards members to earn rewards through specific product purchases, bonus offers and seasonal promotions. To celebrate the program update, new and existing Michaels Rewards members will earn an introductory offer of $5 in rewards earned on a purchase of $25 or more now through September 12, 2020. New members can sign up for Michaels Rewards online or in-store for free.”
ExxonMobil Adds 'Frequent Filler' Bonus to Its Loyalty Program
Quotable: “The Frequent Filler bonus is stackable with Premium Status for a total of 7 cents per gallon on Synergy Supreme+ premium gasoline and rewards offers from both tiers. It also stacks with bonus points for AARP members, allowing drivers with a linked account to receive five cents per gallon on every fuel purchase.”
RETAIL NEWS:
Burberry opens first 'Social Retail' store in China
Quotable: “Burberry is joining other brands like Nike in opening digital-centric brick-and-mortar stores. For Burberry, it made sense to go to China to test out the new concept in a place with digitally savvy shoppers, Marco Gobbetti, CEO at Burberry, said in a statement. 'The first step in an exclusive partnership between our companies, Burberry's social retail store in Shenzhen is a place of discovery that connects and rewards customers as they explore online and in store,' Gobbetti said.”
Can influencers make stores feel safer?
Quotable: “Instagram influencer Wendy Nyugen, who has used her 1.1 million-follower social presence to promote chains like Macy’s and Banana Republic in the past, was recruited alongside a handful of other influencers by Nordstrom to promote the chain’s pandemic-era safety standards, according to The New York Times.”
Amazon, Simon Properties Kick Off Serious Mall Transformation
Quotable: “The reports from several sources indicate that Simon has been negotiating with Amazon to turn some of its department stores into Amazon distribution or fulfillment hubs. The talks have focused on JCPenney and Sears. Both have filed for bankruptcy. According to The Wall Street Journal, Simon malls have 63 JCPenney stores and 11 Sears stores, according to its most recent public filing in May. The move is the first major action on reshaping malls after months of speculation about how anchor tenants can be replaced or converted into different uses.”
PAYMENTS NEWS:
Facebook forms financial group to focus on payments
Quotable: “The idea here, according to Bloomberg, is to unify payments on the company’s various platforms such as Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp under one roof. The company believes that enabling such purchases makes advertising become more valuable. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said that he’s quite keen on growing in-app transactions. 'As payments grow across Messenger and WhatsApp, and as we’re able to roll that out in more places, I think that will only grow as a trend,' he said in a recent earnings call.”
Kroger Launches Contactless Payments Pilot in QFC Division
Quotable: “The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced the launch of a contactless payments pilot across the QFC division, located in Seattle, Wash., allowing customers to use their mobile device for a more seamless checkout experience. The pilot includes the acceptance of Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay, mobile banking apps and contactless chip cards, underpinned by near-field communication (NFC) technology.”
TRAVEL NEWS:
Choice Hotels Completes Onboarding Of More Than 50 Luxury, All-Inclusive AMResorts® Offerings
Quotable: “'Through our collaboration with AMResorts®, Choice's all-inclusive luxury resort offering is now the largest of any major U.S. hotel company, which means our loyalty members have access to unparalleled vacation and rewards options in top leisure destinations like Cancun, Montego Bay, and St. Martin,' said Jamie Russo, vice president, loyalty programs and customer engagement, Choice Hotels.”
Read last week's newswire if you missed it: Loyalty Newswire – August 3rd, 2020
The Loyalty Newswire is compiled and edited by the staff at The Wise Marketer.
