As we progress through these challenging times, companies across the board are preparing to reopen. Here is your loyalty-related news for this week:
- Texas-based Kwik Check relaunches loyalty app and streamlines signup process
- Alamo Drafthouse offering on-demand movie streaming service to keep customers engaged until doors reopen
- Mastercard vows to connect 1 billion people to the digital economy by 2025
- India's fintech giant Paytm launches a loyalty programme aimed to empower SMBs during these challenging times
- J. Crew's declining brand loyalty was a leading indicator of its recent bankruptcy filing
- Leading Korean retailer, Shinsegae Duty Free, integrates with MiL.k's Blockchain platform to manage reward points
- LifeMiles members can continue to accrue and redeem points despite Avianca 'flying' into bankruptcy
- JetBlue completes sale of loyalty points with Barclays for $150 million
LOYALTY PROGRAM NEWS:
Kwik Chek Relaunches Loyalty App
Quotable: “The new app will enhance the chain’s kwikcard Rewards loyalty program, and customers will can earn more points for food, fuel, as well as the ability to use the points as cash inside the store or cents off at the pump. Through the new kwikchek app, customers will now have the ability to become a loyalty member and sign up for their kwikcard Rewards payment card directly within the app, rather than picking up a rewards card in-store and enrolling online.”
CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE NEWS:
With movie theaters closed, Alamo Drafthouse gets into on-demand movie streaming
Quotable: “Alamo notes that while the first build is live now, they’ve got more in the works: iOS and Android apps are on the way, and they’re aiming to tie-in the Alamo Victory loyalty program (allowing for things like discounts when purchasing movies you previously saw in the theater) at some point down the road.”
PAYMENTS NEWS:
Mastercard Commits to Connect 1 Billion People to the Digital Economy by 2025
Quotable: “The extended commitment builds on Mastercard’s ongoing efforts to address the COVID-19 related health and economic challenges facing individuals all over the world. 'If we’re going to recover in any sort of long-term, sustainable way, we have to make sure that everyone is included. Getting people access to the digital economy is a critical part of that,' said Ajay Banga, Chief Executive Officer at Mastercard.”
Paytm launches loyalty programme for kirana stores, invests Rs 100 Cr for digital payments growth
Quotable: “India's fintech giant Paytm on Tuesday announced the launch of its new loyalty programme for kirana stores. The launch is aimed at empowering millions of small businesses in the country. Paytm said it has set aside Rs 100 crore to invest in providing financial services and marketing tools to encourage kirana stores to accelerate the growth of digital payments through Paytm All-in-One QR during the coronavirus lockdown.”
RETAIL NEWS:
Degraded Loyalty a Leading Indicator of J. Crew’s Chapter 11 Filing
Quotable: “A decade ago, J. Crew ranked #1 in the Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index, but the loyalty arc has been very clear. It’s true that the pandemic has been an additional setback for most categories of retail, but in the case of J. Crew it put extra stress on a brand that wasn’t up to loyalty code in the first place.”
Blockchain Rewards Platform MiL.k Integrates with Leading Retail Outlet Shinsegae Duty Free
Quotable: “Jayden Jo, CEO of MiL.k, said: 'Shinsegae Duty Free is one of the top duty-free brands in Korea with millions of customers throughout Asia. By adding top-tier service companies like Shinsegae Duty Free and getting their rewards to be securely traded on blockchain, we will create a new paradigm for the rewards market and accelerate the mass adoption of blockchain.'”
AIRLINES NEWS:
LifeMiles Remains Strong and Members' Miles Safe as Avianca Initiates Reorganization Proceedings
Quotable: “'LifeMiles members can remain confident that Avianca will continue to honor the LifeMiles program, including rewarding its customers with LifeMiles and accepting LifeMiles as payment for airline tickets, as this is a critical part of Avianca's commitment to customers and its long-term success,' said Matthew Vincett, Chief Executive Officer of LifeMiles.”
JetBlue sells loyalty points to bolster cash by $150 Million
Quotable: “JetBlue Airways Corp. sold loyalty points to Barclays Plc for $150 million, making the carrier among the first in the U.S. to use the method to raise cash as the coronavirus pandemic all but extinguishes demand for travel ... JetBlue’s sale of loyalty points echoes moves by Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. and Marriott International Inc., which have raised $1 billion and $920 million, respectively, in recent weeks from similar transactions.”
See last week's newswire: Loyalty Newswire – May 4th, 2020
The Loyalty Newswire is compiled and edited by the staff at The Wise Marketer.
