With stores reopening around the country, many people have realized the in-store experience, if there is one, is far different. Shop-by-appointment services are rapidly becoming available, cash payments aren't being accepted, and curbside pickup has become the backbone of many retailers. We're waiting to see how things will play out, but in the meantime, here's your loyalty-related news for this week:
- 7-Eleven selects ReactorCX to power rewards programs
- Alcor launches employee rewards program High5
- Greater Than expands AI platform with launch of cloud-based loyalty program for auto insurance companies
- Restaurants face backlash for online-only 'virtual restaurants'
- New report suggests COVID-19 has accelerated key retail trends
- Kroger achieves three-year goal to direct 1 billion meals to communities across the U.S.
- Uber cuts 600 jobs in India with plans to reduce global workforce by 23%
- Air Canada unveils new features and enhancements for Aeroplan loyalty program
LOYALTY PROGRAM NEWS:
7-Eleven Powers 7Rewards with ReactorCX
Quotable: “Loyalty Methods (LM), a Customer Experience and Loyalty Management company has partnered with 7-Eleven, a leading convenience store retailer, to deliver a full implementation of LM’s new cloud CX platform – ReactorCX – powering one of the most feature-rich, innovative, customer-centric, and high-scale loyalty programs in the retail world – 7Rewards.”
Alcor announces the launch of High5 - Employee Reward and Recognition Platform built on ServiceNow™
Quotable: “High5 allows employees to show appreciation for the great work done by their colleagues, as well as celebrate their personal milestones, such as birthdays and anniversaries, by giving High5 points. If sponsored by the organization, these points can convert to tangible rewards that can be redeemed in the form of gift cards, cash redemption and more on High5's e-commerce store. High5 reward redemption store features an extensive amount of vendor gift card options for rewards redemption, including donations to charities.”
Greater Than Launches Cloud-based Loyalty Program for Auto Insurance Customers
Quotable: “The technology behind Enerfy Loyalty uses AI algorithms that predict loss ratio in real-time and estimate the claims. The unique insight creates an optimal foundation of loyalty program for insurance companies and fleets who wants to improve their loss ratio by rewarding customers who drive more safely.”
CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE NEWS:
What will Applebee’s and Boston Market learn from their virtual restaurants?
Quotable: “Applebee’s, Boston Market and Chuck E. Cheese are all facing a backlash for creating separate online-only restaurants and being vague about their connection. All three chains created their 'virtual restaurants' using delivery apps such as Grubhub, Seamless and Uber Eats.”
RETAIL NEWS:
COVID-19 accelerating four key fundamental retail trends, finds KPMG report
Quotable: “In the latest Global Retail Trends 2020 report, KPMG's network of retail sector professionals indicate that the four accelerating trends that retail executives should be watching as they rebuild their business towards the post-COVID future are: an evolving retail business model, sense of purpose moving to the forefront, a rethink of the costs of doing business and placing customer choices under the microscope.”
Kroger Achieves New Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Milestones
Quotable: “Kroger announces its latest results and achievements for Zero Hunger | Zero Waste, the company's bold social impact plan aimed at creating communities free of hunger and waste. 'Zero Hunger | Zero Waste addresses the disparity between hunger and food waste in America, a mission that has never been more relevant,' said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO.”
GIG ECONOMY NEWS:
Uber cuts 600 jobs in India as lockdown hits business
Quotable: “Uber Technologies Inc has cut about 600 jobs in India as part of plans to reduce its global workforce by 23%, the company said on Tuesday, joining local rival Ola as the COVID-19 pandemic crushes demand for app-based cab services.”
AIRLINES NEWS:
Air Canada Reveals Enhanced New Features for Aeroplan Loyalty Program
Quotable: “As airlines worldwide are preparing for the steady return of travel, Air Canada announced it is providing enhanced new features for its AeroPlan Miles program. Among the changes, members will soon be able to buy or gift miles at any time, and use miles to bid on cabin seating upgrades on Air Canada flights.”
If you missed it, here's last week's newswire: Loyalty Newswire – May 18th, 2020
The Loyalty Newswire is compiled and edited by the staff at The Wise Marketer.
