22nd Edition September 2024

Big News from Sparta Loyalty!

??WE HAVE ARRIVED IN THE AFRICAN CONTINENT! ????????

WHEREBY We're thrilled to unveil our groundbreaking partnership with PNA - Colour Your World !

Together, we're taking a bold leap into Africa proper, unlocking thrilling opportunities in the loyalty and gift card space.

Why This Matters: Our collaboration with PNA is set to revolutionize how we engage with customers, delivering vibrant and innovative solutions that redefine loyalty.??

What’s on the Horizon?

Prepare for a wave of exciting developments as we expand our footprint and bring unparalleled experiences to the African

WATCH THIS SPACE! ??

GITEX 2024!

Sparta Loyalty is thrilled to announce our participation in GITEX GLOBAL 2024, the world's largest tech and startup event. As pioneers in loyalty solutions, we're eager to showcase how our Sparta Loyalty Platform technology revolutionizes customer engagement and business growth.

In attendance:

? Tomasz Wawrzynow - CEO

? Filip Zajdel - VP and Head of Customer Success

? Mi?osz ?wi?tek - Business and Marketing Consultant

? J?drzej Cury?o - Key Account Manager

? Alexander Kubicki CLMP? MBA - Head of Marketing and International Sales

Experience the Future of Loyalty

At GITEX GLOBAL 2024, you'll have the opportunity to:

? Discover how Sparta Loyalty leverages segmentation to create hyper-personalized loyalty experiences

? Explore real-world case studies of businesses transforming their customer relationships

? Engage with our team of experts to discuss your unique loyalty challenges

Join Us in Shaping the Future

We invite you to witness firsthand how Sparta Loyalty's loyalty innovations are reshaping the business landscape and driving economic growth. Our loyalty technology is at the forefront of this transformation, offering unparalleled insights and engagement strategies.

Don't miss this chance to be part of the revolution in customer loyalty.

Join us at GITEX GLOBAL 2024 and let's explore the future together.

Register now: https://lnkd.in/d4bDmdYs

?? Zalando evolves its loyalty program ??

Zalando is evolving its Plus programme to a new points-based system, aimed at rewarding customer loyalty and engagement. The revamped programme, now free to join, allows customers to earn points not only through purchases but also through actions like subscribing to newsletters on the Zalando app and website. These points unlock four distinct benefit levels, including both existing and new perks like birthday vouchers and access to exclusive events. The updated programme reflects Zalando’s ongoing commitment to enhancing customer experiences and fostering deeper relationships.

After a successful trial in Spain in July, the new Zalando Plus programme is expanding to France and Austria. Current Plus members in these markets will be refunded their subscription fees, and some will receive immediate access to benefits based on their past activity with Zalando. Pascal Hahn, Zalando’s VP of Customer Conversion, explained that the change addresses customers’ desire to feel recognized for their regular engagement with the brand, and that the new system offers a more inclusive experience for all Zalando customers.

Zalando plans to roll out the programme to additional markets next year, but existing Plus members in other regions will continue to enjoy their current benefits until the changes are introduced in their countries.

?? Zalando evolves its Plus programme to reward customers’ loyalty

?? Maximizing Customer Loyalty

Key Insights from McKinsey!

At Sparta Loyalty, we're committed to helping businesses enhance their customer retention strategies. A recent McKinsey & Company study reveals a crucial insight:

"50% of cancellations in paid loyalty programs occur within the first year, primarily because consumers didn't use the benefits enough to justify the cost."

Here's how we can address this challenge together:

? Engage Early:?The first year is critical. Implement onboarding processes that highlight the value of your program from day one.

? Enhance Value:?Regularly evaluate and update your offerings to ensure they meet customer needs and expectations.

? Simplify Access:?Make it easy for members to redeem benefits. A seamless user experience can significantly boost engagement.

? Communicate Effectively:?Keep members informed about how to maximize their benefits through regular updates and reminders.

? Personalize Offers:?Tailor rewards to individual preferences to increase relevance and usage.

?? Asda’s initiative to support UK primary schools ??

Asda has launched a new initiative, "Cashpot for Schools," as part of its loyalty scheme to support UK primary schools, with sporting personality Joe Wicks as its ambassador. Through the campaign, Asda will donate 0.5% of the value of any shopping basket to a customer’s chosen primary school when they shop using Asda Rewards. The scheme runs until the end of November, with Asda pledging an estimated ￡7.5 million in donations. Each participating school will receive an initial ￡50, and Asda will add ￡1 for every customer that selects their school.

The initiative is partnered with charity Parentkind, which is ensuring due diligence on school bank data to facilitate smooth transfers of funds once the campaign ends. Asda emphasized that the Cashpot for Schools program will not affect individual customers’ Cashpot earnings, which are still redeemable at Asda stores. With six million weekly users of Asda Rewards, the retailer reports that customers have collectively earned over ￡525 million through the app.

David Hills, Asda's chief customer officer, noted the financial strain many families face, stating that 87% of families contribute to school funding, with some paying up to ￡138 annually. This initiative aims to ease that burden, allowing families to support schools just by shopping at Asda. Meanwhile, Aldi has also announced a new fund offering ￡100 vouchers to help families with back-to-school costs such as lunches and shoes, reflecting a broader trend of supermarkets stepping up to support struggling families.

?? Asda makes ‘millions of pounds’ available to schools though loyalty scheme

?? IKEA’s “Ready for College” bus tour ??

宜家 has introduced its first-ever “Ready for College” bus tour, which will travel across 30 U.S. college campuses through early fall. The specially designed school bus has been transformed into a mobile IKEA showroom, featuring dorm-friendly products that students can explore firsthand. The tour offers more than just a product showcase, with interactive displays like a planting station where students can take home plants, a FRAKTA Bag Bar, and various other engaging activities designed to enhance the college shopping experience.

The “Ready for College” tour is part of IKEA’s broader strategy to engage younger audiences and support students in making their campus living spaces more comfortable and functional. Earlier this year, IKEA launched its Co-Worker Game virtual store on Roblox, an interactive experience that debuted on June 24. The game allows players to take on virtual jobs, offering a unique blend of career exploration and entertainment, and bridging the gap between the digital and physical worlds.

Both the bus tour and the Roblox initiative reflect IKEA's forward-thinking approach to connecting with younger consumers. By creating experiences that are both fun and practical, IKEA is fostering deeper relationships with the college demographic while also promoting career development in a creative and interactive way.

?? IKEA Ready for college bus tour

?? Major USA airline’s programs under investigation ???

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has launched an investigation into major airline frequent flyer programs, focusing on potential illegal points devaluations and questionable accounting practices. Announced by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the probe is targeting four of the largest U.S. airlines— American Airlines , Delta Air Lines , Southwest Airlines , and United Airlines —to ensure transparency and fairness for consumers who rely on these programs for savings and travel benefits.

Buttigieg emphasized the crucial role loyalty programs play in the economy, stating that many Americans consider their reward points as part of their personal savings. The DOT is investigating whether airlines are diminishing the value of these points, making it harder for consumers to redeem them as expected. The department is particularly concerned with how airlines’ loyalty programs, which often contribute more to their profitability than flight operations, impact travelers. In response, Buttigieg has requested detailed data from the airlines' CEOs to determine whether these programs comply with consumer protection standards and competition laws.

The investigation will cover several areas, including the devaluation of earned rewards, hidden or dynamic pricing practices, extra fees, and the impact of airline mergers on loyalty program value. The DOT aims to address whether airlines are engaging in practices that reduce the value of accumulated points or miles, particularly through obscure pricing strategies and additional fees that diminish customers' ability to fully benefit from their rewards. Consumer advocates have welcomed the move, calling for greater transparency in how airlines manage these programs. Airlines have been given 90 days to submit the necessary reports, with representatives defending loyalty programs as a valuable way to reward travelers.

?? American, Delta, Southwest, United Loyalty Program Under Investigation