Loyalty Blogs

Did you know that repeat customers account for a significant part of a business’s revenue? That’s the magic of loyalty programs—they turn one-time shoppers into lifelong fans. Big brands have turned successful because they paid good heed to building customer loyalty.  

But these programs need a little extra sparkle during the holidays. Think of it as wrapping them in festive cheer to excite shoppers and drive spending. Let’s dive into how you can add that holiday magic.  

Why Do Loyalty Programs and Holidays Go Together?  

Some things are just better together. Loyalty programs and the holidays are one such combination. This festive season brings an influx of shoppers looking for gifts, deals, and exclusive perks. That’s where your loyalty program can steal the show.  

During the holidays, limited time offers combined with rewards create a perfect storm for impulse buys. Add in the warm fuzzies from feeling appreciated, and you’ve got the recipe for increased sales and stronger customer connections.  

How to Add Holiday Magic to Your Christmas Loyalty Program?  

This Christmas don’t just reward your customers the usual way. Make it a little extra with the following tips that can take your Christmas loyalty program to new heights of success.  

Discover What Your Customers Really Want This Year  

You cannot keep giving your customers what you think would engage them. Understanding what they need is the first step towards a successful Christmas loyalty program. There are certain ways that can help businesses know what customers want.  

• Dig into last year’s data: Were holiday bundles, free shipping, or gift wrap services big hits? Use those insights to help shape this year’s offers.  

• Tracking trends: Platforms like Pinterest are goldmines for spotting what’s hot this season. Whether it’s gift ideas or holiday décor, align your offerings to match.  

• Segmenting your audience: High-spending VIPs and budget-conscious shoppers have different needs. Tailored rewards ensure both groups feel valued.  

• Asking directly: Poll your social media followers or run interactive Instagram Stories to gauge interest in potential rewards.  

Holiday retail sales are predicted to break into nearly $980 billion this year in the U.S. With the right strategy, your loyalty program can give you a slice of the action.  

Give Your VIPs the Feeling of Having Had Their Holidays Early  

Who does not love an exclusive benefit? VIP benefits tap into the sense of belonging and being something special. The secret sauce? FOMO—fear of missing out. Your non-VIPs will line up to join when they can see what your VIPs are getting.  

Here is how to spoil your VIPs:  

• Give them early holiday deals. A 24-hour head start can create hysteria with excitement and drive sales.  

• Add in free gift options with purchases above a certain threshold—because who doesn’t love free stuff during the gift-giving season?  

• Free or expedited shipping can be a nice added perk, but be sure to note the cut-off dates for guaranteed Christmas delivery.  

• Double or triple loyalty points on purchases. This is a great way to clear out inventory while increasing rewards for your most dedicated shoppers.  

Convert Referrals and Social Sharing into Holiday Gold  

Word-of-mouth has always been potent, but during the holidays, it is pure gold. Customers trust their friends and family more than advertisements, so why not reward them for spreading the word?  

Here’s how to use referral loyalty programs to your benefit.  

• Award loyalty members extra points or discounts for referring friends and family. A loyalty software solution can make referral loyalty a breeze during the festive season.  

• Encourage people to tag you in posts with your products. Highlight their creativity on your page—it’s a win-win strategy for customer engagement.  

• Start fun, holiday-themed challenges like a #GiftWrapChallenge or #HolidayMakeupChallenge. Not only does this boost visibility, but it also creates a sense of community.  

Get Festive with an Advent Calendar or Countdown  

Holiday countdowns are one of the fantastic ways to engage customers throughout the season. A gamified reward calendar with daily surprises keeps customers hooked and coming back for more.  

Some ideas to get you going:  

• Let customers create a wish list of their favorite items and then surprise a lucky winner by gifting everything on that list.  

• Design a 12 days of rewards campaign where daily benefits, such as double points, discounts, or freebies, are in store. It keeps the customers excited and engaged.  

• Use a leaderboard to gamify your program. Award points for referrals, purchases, or social shares with prizes for top participants.  

Personalize Your Holiday Communication  

The holidays are personal, and so should your loyalty program be. Shoppers want to feel seen, heard, and appreciated, so give them offers that speak directly to them.  

Here’s how:  

• Send emails or texts with their favorite products: “Hey Anna, enjoy 20% off on our best-selling holiday candles—just for you!  

• Use real-time notifications to remind customers of low stock or exclusive offers. A little urgency goes a long way.  

• Highlight deadlines like “last day for free shipping” to encourage action.  

And don’t stop once the holidays are over! Keep the momentum going into the new year with post-holiday offers that bring customers back for more.  

Shine Brighter with AI-Powered Loyalty Software  

Loyalty programs are the gift that keeps on giving, but when not refreshed to meet seasonal expectations, they’re often overlooked and forgotten. Bring a sprinkle of festive promotions, exclusive perks, and challenging engagements that will not only push up the holiday sales, but they will also continue working hard to build those long-term loyalty programs.  

Start early, promote consistently, and don’t be afraid to get creative. If you’re looking for a little help managing it all, schedule a call with Novus Loyalty to get started. Novus Loyalty is a leading loyalty software solution provider with extensive experience in rolling out successful holiday loyalty programs. We know how to engage your customers through personalization and instant gratification.  

Deck your Christmas loyalty program with all the holiday cheer it deserves with Novus Loyalty.