At Kroger, Shoppers are Bananas for Loyalty

by Lisa Biank Fasig — Director, JZMcBride and Associates

Fun fact: Americans are just as likely to have bananas in their kitchen as a Kroger loyalty card in their wallets.

Macy's loyalty pilot still circling the runway

by Lisa Biank Fasig — Director, JZMcBride and Associates

Fans of I.N.C, Martha Stewart and other Macy's exclusive brands will have to wait a while before earning new reward points for their purchases.

Study says $16 billion worth of loyalty program rewards go unredeemed each year

by Kim Williams — Reporter, NetWorld Alliance

Americans accumulate approximately $48 billion in rewards points and air travel miles annually.

Altimeter’s Jeremiah Owyang pinpoints retail's sweet spot

by Laurel Tielis — Author and Professional Speaker, Laurel Tielis & Associates

To find retail's sweet spot, a purchase, put the customer ahead of technology. For multiple purchases, make customers influencers for your business.

Sears chairman takes blame for first-quarter losses

May 3, 2011

According to Reuters, Sears Holdings Corp. Chairman Edward Lampert took the blame for the company's first-quarter losses during the annual shareholders meeting…

Supermarket chain Big Y offers rewards card - with a fee

While some consumers expressed interest in the new plan, others were unenthusiastic.

PlaceWise expands Shoptopia launch to include Madison Marquette

April 20, 2011

Madison Marquette is the next shopping center developer and operator to join Forest City Enterprises in the launch of the Shoptopia Network, PlaceWise Media…

In Canada, loyalty a good aim for Target’s bullseye

by Lisa Biank Fasig — Director, JZMcBride and Associates

It looks like Canada is not only going to bring home the bacon for Target Corp., but chances are it will deliver some loyalty, as well.

AT&T announces Digby Mobile Commerce Solutions

April 10, 2011

AT&T today announced a new service, Digby Mobile Commerce from AT&T, created specifically for retailers to aid in design, deployment and management of…

'Extreme Couponing' should give retailers, brands and tech providers nightmares

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

I'm normally loathe to go anywhere near reality television — and has there ever been a more dishonest or inaccurate label for a genre than that one? — but I…

Buying customer loyalty: Does it ever work?

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

Can we really buy customer loyalty? If not, what are we really buying?To answer these questions we need to define loyalty. Loyal customers:

Experiment on customers to get more from your self-service pilot

In our house, spring means two things: Chicago Cubs baseball and the school Science Fair. As I was helping my son sort out whether or not a cheese sandwich…

Organization engagement: Five key steps to aligning around the customer

Retailers might think they're customer-centric, but many customers experience the opposite.

NCR unveils first hybrid laser and imaging bi-optic scanner

March 16, 2011

NCR Corp., a global technology company offering assisted- and self-service solutions, recently announced that it is launching the world’s first hybrid laser…

A sweet rewards program

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

I'm not a big fan of traditional loyalty programs although I do belong to multiple grocery and drugstore programs. And that's exactly why I'm not a fan. If…

Walgreens uses mobile app as customer loyalty strategy

March 6, 2011

According to MobileCommerceDaily.com, a large number of Walgreens customers are using its mobile application to refill prescriptions. The company is reporting…

Microsoft introduces Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail R2 at EuroShop 2011

February 27, 2011

Microsoft Corp. launched Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail R2 in Germany at the global retail industry trade fair, EuroShop 2011.

The communication station: are you making your connections?

by Sharon Goldman — Senior Director, COLLOQUY

Savvy loyalty marketers know that deeper engagement and personalized communication are the biggest loyalty drivers for high-value customers, not mass e-mail…

Five barriers to building retail customer loyalty

Loyalty programs should be about companies demonstrating their loyalty to customers, not the other way around.

Kmart offering discount flu shots, with loyalty card points

February 17, 2011

With flu season at its peak and the possibility of cases occurring as late as May this year, Kmart announced it is offering $15 flu shots, while supplies last…