Here are some things to know: Returning 'annoying' online orders is getting easier, United Airlines MileagePlus makes a big change, more loyalty program launches & changes, and the latest amendments to the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) ...
Loyalty Program Announcements
Giant Food Stores goes chainwide with Choice Rewards
Quotable: “With Choice Rewards, Giant also has brought an improved look and functionality to the app and the loyalty program website. For instance, in the app, a home rewards tab highlights point-earnings offers, and customers can more easily convert points to grocery and fuel discounts and redeem points on special offers.”
Ministry launches mobile payments rewards program
Quotable: “The Ministry of Economic Affairs yesterday launched a NT$440 million (US$14.24 million) nationwide mobile payments rewards program in cooperation with several mobile payment service firms to stimulate domestic commerce as mobile payment options continue to lure Taiwanese.”
Loyalty Strategy
Sephora Vs. Ulta - We Break Down Main Differences Between The 2 Beauty Stores, From Their Rewards Programs To Shipping Costs
Quotable: “Both the Beauty Insider and Ultamate Rewards programs offer great perks to shoppers, whether you're spending lots of money at the store each year or none at all. Sephora offers its members more promotions, while Ulta offers more birthday perks, but ultimately both programs reward shoppers very similarly.”
Save-on-Foods’ executive shuffle hives off More Rewards program; heightens focus on pharmacy and e-commerce
Quotable: “The biggest move that Save-On-Foods made was to hive off its More Rewards loyalty program into a separate operating unit – although that unit still reports to Save-On-Foods president Darrell Jones. Dan Howe moves into the role of president of More Rewards and his aim will be to rapidly expand the loyalty program”
The Tesco Clubcard and Sainsbury's Nectar point changes you need to know
Quotable: “Two of the UK's biggest supermarkets have revealed changes to their popular loyalty schemes - here's what you need to know. Tesco has revealed it will launch a new Clubcard which shoppers have to pay £7.99 a month to have, but it will secure them a whole host of new deals. Rival supermarket Sainsbury's has also released a range of changes to its Nectar Card scheme.”
Retail
Online retailers are trying to make 'annoying' returns easier
Quotable: “Ahead of the holiday season, shoppers have more options to return unwanted items bought online as retailers look for new ways to drive traffic. Plenty of retailers like Target and Walmart allow shoppers to easily drop off online returns at their stores. But now, a growing number of retailers are accepting rivals’ returns.”
Seven & I Holdings to cut 3,000 jobs and close 1,000 7-Eleven convenience stores across Japan
Quotable: “The number of domestic convenience stores operated by Seven-Eleven Japan Co. dropped by 24 in September from the previous month to 20,993, marking the first fall in five years, company officials said Friday.”
Education
Starts Tomorrow: Certified Loyalty Marketing Professional (CLMP) Workshop
Quotable: “For those who wish to achieve the distinction of Certified Loyalty Marketing Professional™ (CLMP) all at once, the Academy offers an annual certification workshop. This is an in-person event led by senior faculty members of the Academy over a 3-day period. The workshop is intense and covers all core modules plus some of the elective topics offered in the full curriculum.”
Data Analytics
CCPA Update: California Governor Signs Seven Amendments to the CCPA
Quotable: “On Friday, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed seven legislative proposals to amend the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), marking the end of a nearly-yearlong process to make changes to the new privacy law before it goes into effect on January 1st. The next opportunity to amend the CCPA will be in the 2020 legislative session.”
Airlines
Accor and Oman Air partner to enrich members' travel experiences
Quotable: “This is an exciting partnership for frequent travelers who are members of both programs because it allows them to purchase stays and discounts for their next trip at more than 3,500 hotels ranging from luxury to economy in joint destinations. They can also benefit from premium experiences and exclusive themed packages curated by Accor ...”
United Upends Loyalty Program to Prioritize Dollars Over Miles
Quotable: “A new era of airline loyalty programs has arrived. United Airlines announced this week that the criteria for elite qualification in its MileagePlus loyalty program would change dramatically next year. Starting in January of 2020, United’s loyalty members will earn elite status based on Premier Qualifying Flights and Premier Qualifying Segments only.”
The Loyalty Newswire is compiled and edited by the staff at The Wise Marketer.