Loyalty cards made simple

Mistral.ai did not fully understand the task but at a glance it's ok to give you the feeling of PANIC

You're standing in your favorite store, your shopping cart filled with all the items you need. You're ready to check out, either at the self-service kiosk or with a cashier. Suddenly, you remember your loyalty card. You frantically search through your pockets, but it's nowhere to be found. You pull out your phone, hoping to use the loyalty program app, but the login has expired. You try to remember your password, but it's slipped your mind. The line behind you grows restless as you fumble with the password recovery process, which seems to take forever.

What a nightmare - but can this not be simpler?

The Challenge with Traditional Loyalty Cards

Customer loyalty cards are a staple in many stores, serving as a tool to retain customers and foster a bond between the customer and the brand. These programs typically require registration, where customers provide their name, email address, or phone number to create an online account. This account allows customers to track their loyalty points, view invoices, and access other relevant information. For instance, Leroy Merlin offers online kitchen design tools tied to their loyalty program.

Traditional loyalty programs often come with a physical card containing a QR- or barcode, which customers use at the checkout to attribute their purchases to their loyalty account. Some programs also offer an app that displays a barcode or QR code for the same purpose. However, managing multiple loyalty cards or apps can be cumbersome:

Physical Cards: Carrying several cards with just a barcode is inconvenient.
Apps: While slightly more convenient, apps take up space on your phone and often require login credentials, which can be frustrating to remember, especially at the checkout.

A Simpler Solution: Digital Wallet Integration

Recently, I encountered a more convenient approach while renovating an apartment in the south of France. We needed to purchase several items from a home improvement store and found a significant discount at Mr. Bricolage, tied to their loyalty program.

Mr. Bricolage offered a straightforward solution: instead of a physical card or a dedicated app, they provided a digital wallet file that could be easily installed on any smartphone using Google Wallet or Apple Wallet. This method has several advantages:

Ease of Use: No need to install a separate app or remember login credentials.
Accessibility: The wallet file is easily accessible and can be shared with family members.
Non-Intrusive Communication: Mr. Bricolage can send updates and offers directly to the wallet, without being intrusive.

Why This Approach Works

This simple yet effective solution leverages existing technology to enhance the customer experience. By using the digital wallet, Mr. Bricolage ensures that customers always have their loyalty card with them, making the checkout process smoother. Moreover, it allows the store to communicate offers and updates without overwhelming customers with notifications.

Loyalty made simple.

Mr. Bricolage's approach to loyalty programs is a perfect example of innovation without reinventing the wheel. By utilizing digital wallets, they have created a convenient and valuable solution for their customers, setting a new standard for loyalty programs.