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Loyalty Newswire – May 4th, 2020

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By: Wise Marketer Staff |

Posted on May 4, 2020

May the 4th be with you. Here is your loyalty-related news for today:

  • McKesson launches new loyalty program for Rexall Pharmacies powered by Exchange Solutions
  • Amex adds new rewards and statement credit offers for cardholders who can't travel
  • AirAsia's BIG Loyalty program now offers lifestyle reward options
  • Kroger Pay launched to promote social distancing & employees are also now required to wear face masks.
  • Mastercard study shows contactless payments soaring over safety concerns
  • Blame J. Crew's bankruptcy on private equity, not COVID-19
  • Forrester predicts a $2.1 trillion loss in global retail sales in 2020
  • Major U.S. airlines mandate face masks for all passengers
  • Airline stocks plummet as Warren Buffet pulls out of the industry

LOYALTY PROGRAM NEWS:

McKesson launches Rexall Pharmacies Be Well Loyalty Program

Quotable: “Be Well puts health, wellness and rewards in one place that provides you with personalized offers to help you collect and redeem points as well as making your medication management simpler with a direct connection to your Pharmacy. In addition to earning rewards points on every dollar spent at Rexall™ locations across Canada, Be Well™ allows you to connect directly to your Rexall™ pharmacy, making medication management simpler.”

Amex adds new benefits to most of its premium cards in streaming, wireless, grocery and dining categories

Quotable: “Thankfully, card issuers are listening to consumers’ concerns and adapting their card offerings. Amex was the first major card issuer to double the amount of time eligible new cardholders have to earn the welcome bonus and one of many to offer financial hardship programs. Now, American Express announced new rewards and statement credit offers geared toward popular grocery, food delivery, streaming and wireless categories across many of its premium credit cards.”

Redeem lifestyle deals with BIG Points on AirAsia's all-new BIG Loyalty app

Quotable: “Spencer Lee, CEO of BIGLIFE Sdn Bhd said, 'BIG Points have evolved from just loyalty points into a digital currency, this is part of our continuous efforts to create more value for BIG Points and to offer freedom as well as a better experience for our members to utilise their BIG Points. 'BIG Points are universal and borderless, now the points earned are not just limited to redeeming for flights but can also be redeemed for lifestyle purposes...'”

PAYMENTS NEWS:

Kroger requires face masks for employees, launches 'Kroger Pay'

Quotable: “Kroger says they've also launched a new contactless payment option they're calling Kroger Pay. It allows customers to link their payment information to their Kroger customer loyalty account, through the Kroger app, and then pay at checkout by scanning a QR code from their phone through the plexiglass shield at checkouts or at self-checkouts.”

Mastercard study shows consumers moving to contactless payments for everyday purchases as they seek cleaner, touch-free options

Quotable: “During February and March, as many countries imposed or strengthened social distancing measures due to COVID-19, a significant majority of consumers turned to contactless card payments for necessary purchases. Citing safety and cleanliness, 79 percent of people worldwide and 91 percent in Asia Pacific say they are now using tap-and-go payments.

RETAIL NEWS:

Don’t blame J.Crew’s bankruptcy on Covid-19

Quotable: “'This wasn’t because of the pandemic. This was because of the debt load,' says Eric Snyder, partner at law firm Wilk Auslander and chairman of its bankruptcy department. He calls private equity 'the two dirtiest words in retail,' and says the industry has been seeing more companies backed by private equity failing because of their debt.”

Forrester Expects A $2.1 Trillion Loss In Retail Sales Globally In 2020

Quotable: “With the ever-changing economic landscape, Forrester’s ForecastView team developed a scenario model to understand the short- and long-term impacts of COVID-19 on the retail industry ... While our scenarios vary in length and severity, on average, we expect a $2.1 trillion loss in retail sales versus Forrester’s pre-COVID-19 forecast.”

AIRLINES NEWS:

US airlines mandate face masks, including American, Delta, United, Southwest

Quotable: “JetBlue was the first to announce mandatory mask use for both crew and passengers, earlier this week, with all the major carriers soon following its lead. The remaining airlines are encouraging masks for passengers. Some are even providing them. And keep in mind that some airports, like San Francisco, require masks in the terminals.”

Warren Buffett dumps US airline stocks, saying 'world has changed' after COVID-19

Quotable: “Warren Buffett, the legendary American investor, has sold his firm’s entire holdings in the four major US airlines, warning that the “world has changed” for the aviation industry because of the coronavirus crisis. In comments that will send shockwaves through financial markets already pulverised by the economic shock of the outbreak, Buffett said the outbreak could have an “extraordinarily wide” range of possible outcomes.”

Get updated on last week's loyalty news: Loyalty Newswire – April 27th, 2020

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