Covert loyalty: Treat, or trick?

by Phaedra Hise — Senior Editor, COLLOQUY

Last week I received an invitation to join Zappo's VIP loyalty program. Of course I knew it existed. I had heard that it was a model of customer service and…

Why it is time for retailers to quit discounting, start rewarding

Promos mainly appeal to shoppers that only buy on discount without the intent to repurchase.

FieldPower apps now available on tablets

October 31, 2011

FieldPower, a provider of field service management, and Knowella Technologies, have entered into a partnership. Under the terms, FieldPower's workforce…

Hyundai's Buyer Safety Net: Real protection, or another marketing gimmick?

by Dale Furtwengler — President, Furtwengler & Associates, P.C.

Hyundai recently announced a trade-in guarantee. Buyers of a new Hyundai will know immediately what trade-in value they'll receive on their next purchase.

LevelUp adds mobile payment feature, expands its footprint

October 11, 2011

In a press release brimming with cheek, LevelUp, a start-up from Cambridge, Mass.-based SCVNGR, announced that it's doubling the number of cities where the…

Paycloud brings mobile loyalty and gift-card tech to smaller retailers

by James Bickers

The mobile marketing app lets consumers aggregate loyalty programs and special offers on their smartphones.

Identifying and leveraging your VIP customers

by Doug Fleener — President and Managing Partner, Dynamic Experiences Group, LLC

Of course all of your customers are important to the success of your business, but your top customers are even more important. Let's call them your VIPs.…

How to cultivate long-term loyalty

by Peggy Carlaw — VP, Impact Learning Systems

I used to go to the same Chinese Restaurant weekly growing up. My family celebrated birthdays, graduations, and other fun celebrations at this restaurant.

How data-driven creative is transforming the customer-retailer relationship

Data-driven insights are creating a new language for retailers and marketers to deliver personalization.

Gilbarco gas pumps to greet customers by name, offer personalized promotions

September 28, 2011

Convenience store cashiers may not remember their customers by name or recall their favorite soft drinks, but fuel dispensers soon will — thanks to the…

Gilbarco certifies LIFT up-selling tech for use with Passport POS

September 21, 2011

Gilbarco Veeder-Root announced it has certified up-selling technology from LIFT Retail Marketing Technology Inc. for use with the Passport point of sale…

RAMP: NFC and mobile loyalty programs

Mohammad Khan, president and founder of ViVOtech, talked about the convenience of combining NFC technology with loyalty programs at the RAMP mobile payments…

RAMP: Mobile loyalty

Mocapay's Aaron Wald talks about the integration of mobile loyalty and marketing as part of an overall mobile solutions strategy.

Consumer grocery store survey reveals satisfaction and brand preferences by geography

September 14, 2011

Empathica Inc., a provider of Customer Experience Management (CEM) solutions to some of the world's most respected brands, announced that its Consumer Insights…

Beyond a loyalty program: Using loyalty data to create a unified strategy

Retailers launch loyalty programs with the best of intentions, but why do so many fail to deliver on expectations?

Subway named an initial Openbucks' gift card payment partner

September 13, 2011

Openbucks launched its Gift Card Payment Network at TechCrunch Disrupt, a technology-focused conference taking place this week in San Francisco.

Bill's Superette sees operational improvements with solutions from LOC Software

September 12, 2011

Bill's Superette, an eight-store grocery/fuel chain operating in the Twin Cities, has announced the launch of store management solutions from LOC Software. The…

Jewel-Osco’s new strategy: Good business or sheer folly?

by Dale Furtwengler — President, Furtwengler & Associates, P.C.

In a May 3, 2011 Chicago Tribune article Wallin Wong reported that Jewel-Osco "...is continuing to cut prices while tailoring its stores for individual…

When is a reward NOT a reward? A lesson from Panera Bread.

by Dale Furtwengler — President, Furtwengler & Associates, P.C.

In my previous post, "Buying customer loyalty," I railed against reward programs. One restaurant chain, Panera Bread, has proven my point via the type of…

GameStop PowerUp Rewards hits 12.5 million member mark

August 22, 2011

Brierley+Partners (B+P) announced that the PowerUp Rewards loyalty program, designed and launched in October 2010 with the company's client GameStop, has risen…