Almost every major national chain today has a gift card, reward or loyalty program. Everyone from Starbucks to Tim Horton’s to Walmart has implemented a program of their own, realizing what powerful tools they can be for growing sales and retaining customers. Which may leave some small businesses wondering – without the deep pockets for national marketing campaigns or aggressive discounting, how they can compete?
The good news is that even the smallest businesses can implement their own gift card or loyalty program. Low-cost programs have leveled the playing field, and now every business can get in on the action. These programs don’t have to be expensive. With a little imagination and effort, anyone can develop an effective program that will increase their customer base and bring existing customers coming back for more. Basic gift card and loyalty programs cost less than you think. Ackroo has programs to suit any budget. Some of Ackroo’s gift card programs start at as little as $25 per month.
That’s not a lot of money when you consider the benefits, including:
• Increased sales: 65% of gift card holders spend 38% more than the gift card value
• New business: receivers of gift cards will shop at locations they had never visited before
• Return business: loyalty programs build long-term relationships and return visits
For more benefits, visit our recent blog The Benefits of Introducing a Gift Card & Loyalty Program.
There are many examples of small businesses using gift card and loyalty programs to build their business. One of these is Shiny Tea, a small retail store located in Richmond, B.C. They launched their first gift card and loyalty program with Ackroo in 2016. In less than a year, they had over 850 cards in circulation, 1500+ downloads of their mobile app, and a 120% lift in membership from 2016 to 2019. And they’re just getting started.
We May Have a Solution for You!
Ackroo has a selection of customized solutions that are designed specifically to address the needs of hospitality, retail, automotive and petroleum businesses, small and large. That experience can help make your campaign more successful faster, without the learning curve other business have to experience. Plus, we can do everything for you, from designing the program cards and marketing collateral to collaborating with you to set up your program on your point of sale system. Our experts can also develop marketing campaigns for you, and provide complete reporting and analytics so you can see what’s working and make ongoing improvements. We also have customizable mobile app options and branded cardholder portals so you can integrate the program into your website.
It’s a fact. Businesses with loyalty programs are 65% more profitable than those without. And small businesses have a lot to gain by implementing their own programs. They’re not just for the big national chains anymore. They’re for everyone.
If you have any questions or if you would like to explore gift card and loyalty program options, please CONTACT US TODAY!
