Loyalty Programs

Fact: most retailers simply aren’t doing enough to keep their customers engaged. While many retailers have taken significant strides toward optimizing their appearance and sales channels for omnichannel shoppers, when it comes to increasing customer retention, their strategies are largely still behind the curve. Before providing perspective about what organizations should be doing to increase…

Beware Amazon Prime members: All blenders aren't created equal. A Cuisinart warehoused in California may no longer qualify for no-fee shipping to a Prime member in Vermont. That’s the idea behind a new program Amazon.com is testing with some independent merchants. The program, nicknamed Ship by Region, lets certain sellers designate where they’re willing to ship goods…

Last month, Starbucks was in the headlines once again with its industry-leading loyalty program. In addition to offering birthday specials and personal perks to its best customers, the coffee king is teaming up with transportation network company Lyft to expand its loyalty rewards to an even wider network. Since the 1970s, the coffeehouse company has…

Some Bloomingdale’s Loyallists, aka the department store's loyalty program shoppers, got a major surprise in their inbox when a computer glitch gave them thousands of dollars of store credit. BuzzFeed reports that emails to shoppers seemed to have accidentally added dollar signs to their Loyallist points. For example, 5,000 points usually gets you a $25…

Monday was Epic Rewards day at Sephora, a promotion in which Sephora Beauty Insider Points of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 or 10,000 could be redeemed for really, really good gifts. As in 10,000 points could get you a trip to Paris to visit Lancome, or $500 of Make Up For Ever products along with a training…

Amazon.com has placed new restrictions on how many users can access a Prime account and is excluding businesses from the program. People pay $99 for Amazon Prime membership, and until this month, were allowed to share their account with four other members. A new provision called "Amazon Households" restricts members to sharing the program with up…

American consumers increasingly desire enhanced experiences across the retail spectrum. From shopping at department stores to weekly grocery trips, many are willing to pay for benefits that resonate and simplify their lives. Smart companies are acknowledging that fee-based membership or loyalty programs that offer enhanced benefits are a way to better serve their customers while…

Starbucks is teaming up with ride-sharing service Lyft in the coffee giant’s newest effort to expand its loyalty program beyond its cafes. Under the deal, riders and drivers who use Lyft’s mobile app, which facilitates carpooling, will be able to earn Starbucks loyalty “stars,” which can be redeemed for food and drinks at Starbucks outlets.…

Marc Lore's ambition is as spectacular as his view of the sparkling Manhattan skyline. From new headquarters on the Frank Sinatra side of the Hudson River, the former Quidsi founder's latest venture — Jet.com — plans to take on online shopping's biggest players, from Amazon.com to Wal-Mart. Jet's consumer proposition is as simple as its…

It’s no secret: People like free stuff. In fact, people love freebies so much that they’re willing to exchange time and effort for them — even when the reward is relatively small. That’s why providing free samples or a free trial is such a powerful tool for reaching new customers. First, it puts your brand…