In 1948, Spar was the first in the Netherlands to introduce savings stamps with which regular customers could save for a day out. The world now looks different and savings stamps have made way for advanced loyalty programs and personalized discounts. In what ways can you use the customer card? Read this blog and discover the possibilities.
A physical or digital customer card?
What is the best choice, a plastic card or an app? With a card in their wallet, the customer has something tangible and is a visible member of the ‘club’. The app has another advantage: more communication is possible. Hunkemöller keeps their members informed of fashion news, trends and new collections via the app. Our advice? The digital and physical customer card can easily coexist, so that your customer can choose. At HEMA, no fewer than two-thirds of members opt for the physical customer card!
Loyalty program without card or app
In a loyalty program, customers are rewarded for their loyalty. The more you buy, the more discount. You can also offer a loyalty program without an app or customer card. For example, by linking a personal account to the debit card. The customer benefits from promotions easily. But watch out! Engagement may be lower because there is no physical or digital ‘proof’ of membership.
Collecting and segmenting data
The biggest difference between the stamps of the past and the loyalty card of today? It’s all about data! With a loyalty card, you collect extremely valuable data about your customers and their purchase amount. Record this in a CRM system, and you have the opportunity to analyse and segment. This way, you know exactly which type of customer buys what and when. Use this information to design your store so that all customer types can find exactly what they are looking for.
Savings program: discounts & gifts
Research by PanelWizard shows that 94% of Dutch people sometimes participate in a savings program. Regular customers save for nice discounts or shopping credit. Are you going to set up a savings program? Tip: add nice extras that will make your customers happy. Nice examples are being the first to enter during the Crazy Crazy Days of the Bijenkorf or a free cup of coffee at IKEA. How about a small gift on your customer’s birthday?
Personalizing with a customer card
Albert Heijn switched to the personal bonus card a few years ago. The big difference with the old bonus card? The pass is linked to personal data and keeps track of what you buy. This way Albert Heijn knows exactly what they can do to make their customers happy. At the end of the week they receive personalized offers in their mailbox, based entirely on the purchase amount. This way your offers are always interesting for your customer!
A look into the future of the loyalty card
You are filling up along the highway around noon when you receive an email from Subway. It’s lunchtime! Buy a sandwich at the Subway 300 meters away within an hour and receive a 1 euro discount. In the future, no one will be surprised by this. How it works? Beacons detect your location and companies create a campaign based on that. Completely tied to the location and time, personalized and therefore super relevant.
Would you like to use a customer card for your company?
Keep an eye on our blog. Or feel free to contact us for more information. There is always a loyalty card that suits you, so be surprised by the possibilities! As the market leader in the field of loyalty cards, we are happy to think along with you.