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- Stop & Shop Go Rewards has been recognized on Newsweek's list of America's Best Loyalty Programs in 2021
- New report from Paytronix and PYMNTS determined that loyalty program members spend more than twice as much on takeout compared to non-members
- Talkable launches a loyalty program while still offering referral programs which creates an effective combination for customer acquisition and retention
- J.D. Power launches an industry-first solution that offers the most current, comprehensive view of auto insurance customer shopping behaviors
- HSBC prepares to withdraw from the U.S. retail banking sector as it reorganizes its top leadership to focus on Asia's markets
- Major retail chains, such as Gap and Nordstrom, have committed to partnering with Black designers
- Restaurant POS and software provider Toast prepares for an IPO that could possibly be valued around $20 billion
- Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the introduction of a data privacy bill to give Floridians more control over their personal data
- The hospitality sector will possibly reopen in April as part of a four-stage process for easing Covid restrictions in England.
- Hershey is looking to hire employees in the struggling hospitality industry as it opens three new dining options at the Chocolatetown section of Hersheypark
LOYALTY PROGRAM NEWS:
Stop & Shop GO Rewards™ Recognized on Newsweek’s America’s Best Loyalty Programs 2021 List
Quotable: “Launched in the summer of 2020, Stop & Shop’s GO Rewards program offers customers even more opportunities to earn rewards and save on purchases. Fully integrated with the StopandShop.com website and Stop & Shop® mobile app, the digital loyalty program allows shoppers to earn GO Points™ for almost everything they buy, in-store and online. While previously only gas rewards were available, customers can now also convert their GO Points into several types of rewards including money off their next grocery order, gas savings at Stop & Shop fuel stations and participating Shell locations or even donating their GO Points cash equivalent to their local food bank.”
Report: Loyalty customers spend more than twice as much on takeout meals
Quotable: “Appealing to takeout customers has become critical in the past year as dine-in capacities have been limited and off-premise business have grown significantly. The Paytronix report found that 63% of the $769 billion spent ordering food last year was eaten at home, and most takeout orders were facilitated by digital channels, with 89% of the $486 billion spent on food eaten at home ordered through a desktop website, mobile app or aggregator app.”
Talkable Launches Loyalty Program, Highly Customizable Solution for eCommerce Brands
Quotable: “With loyalty program members spending 12-18% more revenue than non-members, engaging loyalty programs have become essential for eCommerce companies. The Talkable Loyalty Program integrates into a brand's existing website and fits seamlessly into the customer experience - boosting customers' engagement, lifetime value, and ROI.”
TECHNOLOGY NEWS:
J.D. Power Launches Real-Time Auto Insurance Customer Loyalty Tracking Capability
Quotable: “Against this backdrop of rapid-fire swings in customer sentiment, J.D. Power has developed an industry-first solution to provide daily metrics on auto insurance customer shopping activity at a brand level. The new J.D. Power Auto Insurance Loyalty Indicator & Shopping Trends (LIST), fueled by SurveyMonkey Market Research Solutions, offers the industry’s most current, comprehensive view of auto insurance customer shopping behaviors at the national and state level.”
RETAIL NEWS:
HSBC to announce exit from U.S. retail banking, reshuffles top jobs
Quotable: “HSBC is set to withdraw from U.S. retail banking, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday, as Europe’s biggest bank seeks to dispose of a business that has long underperformed.The exit from the U.S. consumer business will form part of the lender’s strategy update due on Tuesday, as Chief Executive Noel Quinn seeks to cut costs, boost fee income and continue the lender’s shift towards Asia.”
Major Retail Chains Are Committing To Partnering With Black Designers
Quotable: “There are many companies that have woken up and realize that diversity is the American way of life. Their efforts will give the opportunity to many young entrepreneurs to show their creativity and build successful new businesses into the future. I believe this support will be a win for their bottom line and benefit their customers as well.”
PAYMENTS NEWS:
Restaurant-software provider Toast is preparing an IPO that could value it at around $20 billion, report says
Quotable: “Boston-based Toast supplies restaurants with payment management and a point-of-sale service built on the Android operating system. Its products also include payroll processing, e-mail marketing, and loans to customers via Toast Capital. Just before the COVID-19 pandemic, Toast raised $400 million in a funding round led by private equity groups including TPG and Tiger Global Management, according to Reuters. But the company was hammered by the impact of the pandemic, having to reduce its workforce by about 50% through layoffs and furloughs, as restaurant sales dropped 80%. By mid-2020, its business saw a rebound with new demand for its products, as restaurants switched to take-out services during harsh lockdowns.”
DATA & PRIVACY NEWS:
DeSantis introduces data privacy bill to protect Floridians personal info
Quotable: “Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday the introduction of a data privacy bill geared toward giving Floridians more control over data amassed online and often compiled by large technology companies. DeSantis says big tech companies who want to collect your information must tell you how they plan to use it. 'Floridians should not have to give up their most intimate information to use a mobile device, surf the internet or connect with friends and family on social media,' he said.”
TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY NEWS:
COVID: Hospitality Lockdown in England Could Start Easing in Late April
Quotable: “Meanwhile, the reopening of the hospitality sector will form part of the second phase in late April, The Guardian reports, but may be limited to outdoor service only. By mid-May, pubs and restaurants may be allowed to open indoors, although restrictions on group numbers and social distancing measures may remain in place. It is hoped that the tourism sector will reopen in June. Pubs, restaurants and bars across England were closed for the third time in January, when the government banned takeaway and click-and-collect alcohol sales from hospitality outlets.”
Hershey hiring people in the struggling hospitality industry
Quotable: “While many in the restaurant industry are struggling to stay afloat and find jobs, Hershey is hiring. 'Our goal is to let people know that Hershey, PA is hiring. We want to bring in as many people as we can for our new dining outlets because we want to deliver the best possible experience for our guests,' said Kathleen McGraw with Hershey Entertainment and Resorts.”
Did you miss last week's news? Catch up here: Loyalty Newswire – February 15th, 2021
The Loyalty Newswire is compiled and edited by the staff at The Wise Marketer.
