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Loyalty Newswire – January 6th, 2020

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By: Wise Marketer Staff |

Posted on January 6, 2020

Here’s what we’re following: New features added to leading senior healthcare program, Casey’s General Stores plans to launch new loyalty program in early 2020, Nike continues to set the standard for customer experience, Krispy Kreme entices customers with free doughnut every Monday this month, loyalty programs are increasingly becoming targets for cybercriminals, more CCPA news, best tactics for resolving customer complaints in retail, protection and warranty services are increasing the bottom line for retailers, OIG approves loyalty program that includes pharmacy products, and another airline is yet again facing customer backlash as they attempt to change loyalty program terms and conditions.

And if you missed it, read last week’s newswire!

LOYALTY PROGRAM NEWS

THE SILVER&FIT® PROGRAM OFFERS INDUSTRY-LEADING NEW FEATURES TO KEEP SENIORS HEALTHY AND FIT IN 2020

Quotable: “Beneficiaries receive discounted or no-cost access to a broad choice of fitness center options, ranging from YMCAs to top national fitness club chains to local community centers and exercise classes, in addition to other health and fitness offerings. It contracts with top-name national fitness chains, as well as smaller, local exercise centers and YMCAs, offering members a broad choice of affordable fitness options.”

CASEY’S GENERAL STORES WILL LAUNCH ITS LOYALTY PROGRAM IN EARLY 2020

Quotable: “Digital engagement and price optimization are two key initiatives on the strategic to-do list for Casey’s General Stores Inc. The retailer is moving forward with both, with plans to launch its new loyalty program in early 2020.”

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE NEWS

NIKE IS SETTING THE STANDARD FOR OMNICHANNEL LOYALTY IN EVERY INDUSTRY

Quotable: “Most marketers understand that earning loyalty is bigger than rewards programs and incentives, that it’s important to treat different customers differently. And they agree that a loyalty program should deliver the best content, offers, and experience that a brand has to offer.”

KRISPY KREME FREE DONUT: HERE’S HOW TO GET A FREE ‘MINI DOUGHNUT’ EVERY MONDAY IN JANUARY

Quotable: “With New Year’s resolutions still fresh, the North Carolina-based company announced the launch of a new permanent menu item Monday, designed to help fans “stay on track” – Mini Doughnuts.”

DATA & PRIVACY NEWS

CYBERCRIMINALS LATEST RETAIL TARGET? LOYALTY PROGRAMS

Quotable: “As retailers lure customers through loyalty programs, their rewards may be easier targets for cybercriminals, experts told Retail Dive. Per the Forter Fraud Attack Index report, loyalty fraud has increased by 89% in only one year. Failing to protect such incentives is not only a financial headache for customers, retailers and financial services, but it can also drive consumers to more secure competitors, experts said.”

CCPA: HOTEL LOYALTY PROGRAMS, DATA RETENTION AND THE BRAVE NEW WORLD OF PRIVACY

Quotable: “The Act gives, as examples, charging different prices or rates for goods or services, or providing a different level or quality of goods or services. For hotels, this means that loyalty programs will be under scrutiny, and to pass muster, their sponsors must identify the value associated with the right to use personal information, and how that was determined.”

RETAIL NEWS

RESOLVING COMPLAINTS AND KEEPING YOUR RETAIL CUSTOMERS IN THE PROCESS

Quotable: “Many times, factors are beyond your control, such as a delayed shipment by a third party, or a customer who misunderstands a transaction. Even if you’re not at fault, you must deal with the complaint — and it’s essential to please the unhappy customer. Getting it right improves your chances of salvaging the sale, strengthening the relationship and reinforcing brand loyalty.”

HOW PROTECTION SERVICES COMBAT RETAIL’S PROMOTIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND BOOST SALES MARGINS

Quotable: “Not only do these services close the margin gap for retailers who have no choice but to participate in the promotional environment of the industry, but they also help customers solve a problem by providing them with protection for valuable purchases from the same retailer with whom they purchased the actual product. In the end, this keeps shoppers in the retailer’s ecosystem because they don’t have to go elsewhere to seek out protection services.”

AIRLINE NEWS

NEW MILEAGEPLUS STATUS REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN REVEALED

Quotable: “Do you remember back in October when United Airlines announced that it would no longer be allowing MileagePlus members to earn miles toward status tiers? United’s new changes for its loyalty program officially kick in this month. That means you may want to become familiar with the new setup if you’re a member of the MileagePlus program.”

LEGAL NEWS

OIG APPROVES CUSTOMER LOYALTY PROGRAM INVOLVING PHARMACY PRODUCTS

Quotable: “On December 17, 2019, OIG published Advisory Opinion 19-06 approving a supermarket’s expansion of a loyalty program to allow customers to earn rewards points on out-of-pocket costs paid in connection with the purchase of pharmacy items or immunizations. OIG determined that while the proposal would implicate the Federal anti-kickback statute …”

KOREAN AIR FACES BACKLASH OVER CHANGES IN LOYALTY PROGRAM

“Korean Air is facing bitter complaints from an increasing number of customers over its plans to change its loyalty program, with critics saying that most of the changes will disadvantage economy passengers and only benefit first-class and business-class passengers. Some customers are even moving to take group action such as filing a complaint with the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) and submitting a class-action suit.”

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