Loyalty Programs

Loyalty programs have long been a cornerstone of customer retention strategies. However, many still fall short of delivering the personalized experiences customers expect. Traditional loyalty programs often rely on static rules and broad segmentation, offering generic rewards that fail to inspire true loyalty. Predictive artificial intelligence is changing that. It enables brands to build smarter…

Shoppers today expect brands to know them, engage them, and offer value beyond transactions. Loyalty programs that once thrived on simple rewards are evolving into something much more powerful: dynamic customer ecosystems that foster deeper relationships, personalized experiences and long-term engagement. This transformation is being driven by rising consumer expectations. Shoppers now demand seamless, rewarding…

As retailers refine their 2025 marketing strategies against signs of softening demand, one key priority should be improving shopper engagement and loyalty program return on investment. According to Deloitte’s 2025 U.S. Retail Industry Outlook, six in 10 retail executives anticipate consumers will value price over loyalty this year. This makes it even more critical that…

American consumers have become value-obsessed, shaping their shopping behaviors. In the last quarter of 2024, McKinsey reported that 74 percent of U.S. shoppers admitted to trading down — i.e., switching retailers, delaying purchases, or seeking better value — despite spending more overall than in previous years when adjusted for inflation. However, with recent reports showing…

Black Friday is a massive opportunity to attract new customers, but the challenge lies in turning them into loyal repeat buyers. Research shows that 64 percent of brands find shoppers acquired during Black Friday have a lower lifetime value than customers acquired at other times of the year. To change this trend, businesses need to…

Wayfair has launched a premium loyalty program across all of its banners, including Wayfair, AllModern, Birch Lane, Joss & Main and Perigold. Membership costs $29 per year with rewards that never expire as long as subscriptions do not lapse, according to a company press release. Members get 5 percent back in rewards on all purchases,…

What do Uber, T-Mobile, and Starbucks have in common? Aside from being household names, these consumer brands are all tapping into the power of travel to drive customer engagement and foster long-term loyalty — and they're using membership programs to do so. T-Mobile customers can save up to 40 percent on hotels when booking through…

Everyone and their mother seems to have launched a loyalty program these days. Why? Because loyalty programs work. For over a dozen years, The Bond Loyalty Report has confirmed the value and power of loyalty programs in driving consumer attitudes and behaviors. In fact, results from the 2024 data set show that loyalty’s influence on…

Etsy announced Wednesday it was piloting a new buyer membership program called Etsy Insider to incentivize more consumers to shop the online marketplace. "One of our top priorities is encouraging buyers to think of Etsy first and shop with us more often, translating the joy Etsy inspires into more sales for our 7 million sellers,"…

Advances in digital technology continue to transform consumer journeys, evolving everything from the way brands engage with consumers to how shoppers complete their most basic purchases. Loyalty programs have long been a tried-and-true method for brands looking to engage, offering an opportunity to reward shoppers for repeat business and grow customer loyalty. To that end,…