Loyalty


  • A woman looks out of a hotel room window.
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    PixelsEffect via Getty Images
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    Consumers shift spending to brands with more value for the price: report

    Amid ongoing economic uncertainty, hotels that merely offer low prices could lose out to competitors that are perceived as better quality, more trustworthy or friendly, per Deloitte.

    By Noelle Mateer • July 3, 2025
  • A photo of a person pouring a beverage from a large dispenser in a store into a white and yellow disposable cup. the person has a lid for the cup in the other hand.
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    Permission granted by Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores
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    Why c-store customer experience is more important than ever

    From friendly workers to helpful technology to a loyalty program that’s worth their time, shoppers increasingly value the personal touch, according to new data from Intouch Insight.

    By Jessica Loder • July 2, 2025
  • A close up of a person holding a phone featuring rewards points and the ability to redeem them.
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    Debalina Ghosh via Getty Images
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    What makes for a good loyalty program?

    The elements will depend on a brand’s customer base, industry and competition. But analysts and loyalty leaders identified commonalities across successful programs: differentiation, value and emotional connection.

    By July 2, 2025
  • Insurance Institute for Highway Safety seat belt IIHS
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    itsarasak thithuekthak via Getty Images
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    Auto insurance customer satisfaction in need of improvement: JD Power

    After years of rate increases, auto insurers should focus on customer retention.

    By Kalena Thomhave • June 30, 2025
  • A person holds a smartphone showing the Starbucks app
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Will AI ‘completely rewire’ loyalty programs?

    Companies have been able to segment customer data for years, but AI takes it a step further, enabling brands to target offers to specific individuals through their rewards programs.

    By Michael Brady • June 30, 2025
  • Choice Hotels Vice President Nandika Suri speaks during a Hotel Dive fireside chat on hotel loyalty.
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    Jenna Graber / Hotel Dive

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    How hotels can attract and retain loyalty members

    Choice Hotels’ Nandika Suri shared why experiences are important to today’s travelers and how brand partnerships can enhance a loyalty program’s value.

    By Jenna Graber • June 26, 2025
  • A customer pushes a cart outside a Lowe's store.
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    Scott Olson / Staff via Getty Images
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    Lowe’s loyalty program’s core objective? Drive one more trip

    The home improvement retailer’s dual loyalty programs are centered around driving frequency by meeting customers' needs at every stage of their journey, Lowe’s Amanda Bailey said.

    By June 24, 2025
  • Online hotel search
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    anyaberkut via Getty Images
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    For travel loyalty program success, customers want lower costs, discounts

    Younger consumers, driving loyalty and travel trends, are asking for better value and more options, an arrivia survey found. 

    By June 23, 2025
  • Interior of Manassas, Virginia, Sprouts
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    Peyton Bigora/CX Dive
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    How Sprouts’ focus on its target customers fuels growth

    On the cusp of launching its first loyalty program, the specialty grocer is also moving ahead with ambitious store expansion plans and bulking up supply chain capabilities.

    By Peyton Bigora • June 23, 2025
  • A women on a tablet with a suitcase next to her.
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    CentralITAlliance via Getty Images
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    ‘Reward relevance’ a top challenge for hospitality loyalty: report

    Hotel loyalty marketers should focus on communications that illustrate program benefits, according to the 2025 EY Loyalty Market Study.

    By Noelle Mateer • June 20, 2025
  • A return of a Shein item leveraging UPS' Happy Returns occurs at a Forever 21 location.
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    Permission granted by Happy Returns
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    Free returns are often a deal breaker for consumers

    Nearly 9 in 10 consumers expect free returns as standard, according to a Rithum survey. 

    By Michael Brady • June 16, 2025
  • The Chewy.com website on a tablet.
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    Joe Raedle / Staff via Getty Images
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    Chewy’s customer spend rises as subscriptions drives sales

    The pet retailer's loyalty programs and exceptional experience are differentiating the company while growing sales, executives said.

    By June 12, 2025
  • A person opens a ButcherBox order and puts the meat on a table.
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    Permission granted by ButcherBox
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    How ButcherBox infused its unique identity into its loyalty program

    Any company can offer 2% cash back. ButcherBox’s Sizzle Society stands out with the three tiers and an emphasis on experiential benefits.

    By June 11, 2025
  • Orange and white exterior of an Ulta Beauty store.
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    Daphne Howland/CX Dive
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    Ulta’s 45 million loyalty members will drive its personalization plans

    The retailer is focusing on elements it can control, including CX, to help it fend off competitors in the beauty space.

    By May 30, 2025
  • A woman looks at a dining room display in Ikea.
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    Johannes Simon via Getty Images
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    How emotional attachment can boost brand advocacy and retention

    Seven in 10 consumers will choose a brand because they expect the experience will be good, an Ipsos report found.

    By May 29, 2025
  • Closeup of a storefront sign.
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    Daphne Howland/CX Dive
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    Target Circle 360 members can now shop same-day delivery with 100+ retailers

    Through its Shipt service, the mass retailer will give subscribers access to same-day delivery at Petco, PetSmart, CVS, and more, all without price markups.

    By Dani James • May 21, 2025
  • A white sign that says Cava in front of a glassed facade building.
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    Courtesy of Cava
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    Cava has big plans for its loyalty program

    Loyalty is bringing consumers into the restaurant’s ecosystem, while its emphasis on hospitality builds relationships, according to CEO Brett Schulman.

    By May 19, 2025
  • Two people talk to each other in an Ikea showroom surrounded by furniture products.
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    Courtesy of Ikea
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    How brands use emotional intelligence for stronger customer relationships

    Businesses that successfully implement EQ create deeper, more meaningful customer connections and measurable gains in customer experience metrics.

    By Rosalyn Page • May 19, 2025
  • Grocery store aisle with two people shopping
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    Peyton Bigora/CX Dive
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    How to maintain customer relationships as economic anxiety persists

    Consumers, concerned about rising prices, are holding off on large purchases while they try to determine how the economy will fare, putting brand loyalty at risk.

    By May 15, 2025
  • Two blue bags with groceries on a doorstep.
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    Courtesy of Walmart corporate blog
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    Loyalty programs drive grocery e-commerce sales

    Walmart+ members drove around two-thirds of online food sales for the company in April, according to research by Brick Meets Click and Mercatus.

    By Peyton Bigora • May 15, 2025
  • IKEA logo is displayed outside a store.
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    Naomi Baker via Getty Images
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    Ikea adds more ways for loyalty members to earn, redeem points

    The furniture retailer wants to enhance the value customers receive from every interaction, according to Nicole King, customer engagement & loyalty manager at Ikea U.S.

    By May 14, 2025
  • Eggs are seen in cartons in a grocery store
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Natural Grocers cracks down on egg prices with loyalty discount

    The specialty grocer is encouraging people to sign up for its rewards program through a limited-time deal that offers up to 42% off a new line of eggs.

    By Peyton Bigora • May 14, 2025
  • Spirit  Airlines
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Spirit hunts for premium customers post bankruptcy

    The budget carrier, which emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March, is the latest airline to explore the potential of elevated experiences.

    By May 14, 2025
  • An image of a giant logo that says Applbee's.
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    Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
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    Applebee’s perks up its loyalty program with an emphasis on exclusivity

    Parent company Dine Brands wants to use memorable loyalty opportunities and speedy service to help Applebee's and IHOP grow.

    By May 12, 2025
  • Customers check in for Southwest flights with their bags.
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    Michael Ciaglo via Getty Images
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    People skills drive experience wins for Southwest, JetBlue, research finds

    JetBlue and Delta have invested tens of millions of dollars training staff to be friendly and interactive, while Southwest hires for attitude.

    By May 12, 2025