RETAIL TECHNOLOGY SHOW 2025
We’re thrilled to announce our participation at the Retail Technology Show 2025! 🛍️📱
Join us at ExCeL London on April 2-3, 2025, where we’ll be showcasing the latest innovations in retail loyalty solutions. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover how Sparta Loyalty is revolutionizing the retail technology landscape.
We are looking forward to connecting with industry leaders, sharing insights, and demonstrating our cutting-edge solutions. Will you be there? Let’s meet!
Contact our Head of Marketing Alexander Kubicki CLMP™ MBA, —> Alexander.Kubicki@SpartaLoyalty.com 📧🏃♂️💨
Or sign up via our webpage –> https://promo.spartaloyalty.com/retailtechnologyshow2025
🎬 Sparta Loyalty Academy: Pioneering Customer Retention Strategies 📊
We’re electrified to unveil the resounding success of our inaugural Sparta Loyalty Academy event! This wasn’t just a conference but a loyalty revolution in action, uniting the brightest minds in customer experience and retention strategies.
Our star-studded lineup of speakers left the audience spellbound:
✅Filip Zajdel – Unraveling the Psychology of Loyalty 🧠
✅Daniel Górny – Mastering Omnichannel Profit Drivers 💎
✅Maciej Bednarek – Navigating the Legal Labyrinth of Loyalty ⚖️
✅Magdalena Grochala – Unveiling the Game-Changing Sparta Loyalty Report 2025 📊
✅Grzegorz Godlewski – MOYA’s Loyalty Launch: A Case Study in Excellence ⛽
✅Błażej Pawlar – Revolutionizing Customer Engagement through SMS 📱
✅Marcin Sobek, CLMP – Crafting Ironclad Business Cases for Loyalty Initiatives 💼
✅Alexander Kubicki CLMP™ MBA – Empowering Loyalty Programs for Humanitarian Goals⛑️
These industry leaders shared valuable insights and innovative ideas that are set to influence the loyalty landscape in the coming years. And this is just the beginning! The Sparta Loyalty Academy is expanding globally, with upcoming events planned in Africa and the UK. We’re building an international community of loyalty professionals, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange across borders.
🎥Out now: our post-event film! While it captures the highlights, it’s just a glimpse of the true magic that unfolded at the event. The film will showcase key moments and strategies discussed, but nothing compares to being there in person.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/zVWrvARqx_A?si=z1cSs_dXmTLvnClZ
Take advantage of our next event! Join us as we continue to shape the future of customer relationships. Be part of the loyalty evolution – your expertise and insights are invaluable to our growing community.
🍔 Wendy’s launches new loyalty mobile app in the UK 🍔
The Wendy’s Company has unveiled its first-ever loyalty app in the UK, offering customers a “VIP experience” with features like queue-skipping for drive-thru, dine-in, and order collection. The app also includes exclusive deals and discounts, such as buy-one-get-one-free offers and money off purchases. The launch coincides with Black Friday, enabling users to access special promotions, including £4 off orders over £20, £3 off orders above £15, and a free Frosty milkshake with any purchase.
The app rollout comes as Wendy’s continues its rapid UK expansion. Since opening its first location on London’s Oxford Street in 1980, the chain has grown to 33 outlets, with 32 opening between 2021 and 2024. The company recently announced a partnership with franchiser Khidmat to establish six new restaurants in southwest England.
Looking ahead, Wendy’s plans to further expand its footprint with company-owned outlets in Newcastle, Rutland, Essex, and London in 2025. With the new loyalty app and ongoing growth, Wendy’s aims to strengthen its presence and customer engagement across the UK.
📱 47% of Brazilians Use Digital Wallets for Bill Payments 📱
Brazil is redefining the global use of digital wallets, leveraging them for bill payments and identity verification far more than other countries, where eCommerce typically dominates. According to the PYMNTS Intelligence Report “Digital Wallets Beyond Financial Transactions: Brazil Edition,” produced in collaboration with Google Wallet, 47% of Brazilian consumers used digital wallets for bill payments in the past year, compared to just 27% for online purchases. This contrasts sharply with markets like the U.S. and U.K., where eCommerce is the primary driver of digital wallet use.
Generational trends further highlight Brazil’s unique approach. Baby boomers and seniors lead in adopting digital wallets for bill payments, with 51% usage compared to 36% among Gen Z. Older consumers also outpace younger ones in using digital wallets for online shopping and broader financial tasks. Beyond transactions, 30% of Brazilians store personal documents like IDs and event tickets in their digital wallets, with 34% expecting to use them for identity verification within three years—a significantly higher rate than in European or North American markets.
⚽ Marriott collaborates with Manchester United ⚽
Marriott Bonvoy, the global loyalty program of Marriott International, has teamed up with Manchester United to offer fans unparalleled opportunities to engage with their favorite football club. The collaboration will provide exclusive experiences, including playing on the pitch at Old Trafford, VIP matchday hospitality, and unique travel adventures, bringing fans closer to the action like never before.
As part of a special sweepstakes, ten lucky winners will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Manchester, including round-trip flights, a four-night stay at the Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly, tickets to Manchester United’s match against Aston Villa on May 25, 2025, dinner with a club legend, and personalized gifts. Entries are open until March 31, 2025. Additionally, Marriott Bonvoy Moments will allow fans to redeem loyalty points for once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as travel with the team to international matches, a stay in the “Suite of Dreams” at Old Trafford, mascot opportunities for children, and access to exclusive lounges with Manchester United legends.
Jackie McAllister, Vice President of Marriott Bonvoy Brand & Moments Marketing, highlighted the program’s vision: “Passion runs fierce and deep among Manchester United fans, and with this partnership, Marriott Bonvoy and Marriott Hotels bring fans nearer to the team they love with tailored travel experiences that allow them to pursue their fandom without limits.” With these offerings, Marriott Bonvoy is set to redefine the way fans experience football, merging travel and sport into a singularly memorable adventure.
✈️ Emirate Skywards surprises with exciting offers for holiday season ✈️
Emirates Skywards, the award-winning loyalty program of Emirates and flydubai, has unveiled a range of exciting offers to mark the holiday season. Members can earn 30% bonus Miles on all purchases made through Skywards Miles Mall until 5 December 2024, with additional rewards like 2,000 bonus Miles on the first Visa purchase of AED 185 or more. Participating brands include Farfetch, Apple, Mothercare, and Bath & Body Works, with Miles also redeemable for gift cards starting at just 2,000 Miles.
The Skywards Everyday app allows members to earn Miles at over 300 partners by linking up to five payment cards, offering 4x Miles on first Visa transactions and chances to win 100,000 Miles through purchases at DIFC Gate Avenue.
Shoppers at The Bicester Collection in Europe and the UK can enjoy double Miles until 5 January 2025 or triple Miles with higher spends at luxury outlets like Bicester Village and La Vallée Village.
For travel enthusiasts, Emirates Skywards Hotels offers 25% bonus Miles per night on stays booked with co-branded credit cards and 5,000 bonus Miles on first Visa bookings for stays until 31 March 2025.
With over 33 million members worldwide, Emirates Skywards offers tiered privileges and the ability to redeem Miles for flights, upgrades, hotel stays, and unique experiences, making it one of the world’s most valued loyalty programs.
🛒 Morrison’s technical glitch causes small chaos 🛒
In the late December, Morrisons has made More Card loyalty discounts available to all shoppers on 100 popular products after a technical issue prevented cardholders from accessing promotions. Discounts on items like 10p vegetable bags, turkeys, spirits, and champagne are now offered to everyone.
To apologize, Morrisons is also giving More Card holders an extra 10% off their entire shop. The glitch, which disrupted discounts at checkouts, click & collect orders, and home deliveries, left many customers frustrated. Some shoppers reported checkout machines displaying error messages with no prior warning in-store.
Morrisons assured customers that More Card rewards like Morrisons Fivers can still be redeemed manually in stores. Click & collect customers are advised to wait for confirmation emails, while home delivery customers may experience delays and are being contacted directly.
This issue follows recent enhancements to the More Card scheme, which now allows customers to earn points on all purchases, including online and convenience stores.
SOME VERY Exciting news from the Sparta Loyalty family! 🎉
We’re thrilled to share a special video featuring Monika Koroś from Empik Group, one of our valued partners. Monika recently attended our inaugural Sparta Loyalty Academy event, and she was very kind to share her experience with us below.🎥
Watch the video to hear Monika’s glowing testimonial about Sparta Loyalty and discover how our collaboration with Empik is already making waves in the gift card landscape.
Are you curious about how Sparta Loyalty can elevate your brand in the coming year? Our innovative solutions and dedicated team are ready to help you create meaningful connections with your customers and drive business growth.🌟
Want to be part of success stories like Empik’s? Join the Sparta Loyalty Academy or ask us for a DEMO, and become a member of our ever-growing family of satisfied partners.
P.S. Don’t forget to check out your local Empik for fantastic gift ideas! 🎁 and powered by Sparta Loyalty ⚔️!Play
📺 Disney celebrates big streaming numbers 📺
The Walt Disney Company is celebrating its ad-supported streaming success with impressive user numbers unveiled during its 5th annual Tech and Data Showcase at CES. The company announced that its streaming platforms—Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+—have reached an estimated 157 million monthly active users globally, including 112 million in the U.S., averaging over the past six months.
These figures represent cumulative engagement across Disney’s ad-supported streaming content. President of Global Advertising Rita Ferro emphasized Disney’s unique position in the market, blending top-tier sports and entertainment content with high-value audiences. Disney also shared its transparent methodology for calculating these metrics.
The company determines its ad-supported monthly active users (MAUs) by measuring active accounts that have streamed ad-supported content for over 10 seconds. The global total is calculated using a multiplier based on the estimated users per account, averaging 2.6 but varying by region and platform. Disney clarified that the estimates rely on first-party survey data and exclude Hotstar.
Disney’s results position it ahead of Netflix , which reported 70 million ad-supported MAUs last year, though it still trails Amazon, which claims over 275 million ad-supported monthly users in the U.S. across its platforms.
Disney Reveals 157 Million Global Monthly Active Users for Ad-Supported Tiers
🎸 Big loyalty moves coming from Hard Rock™ 🎸
Hard Rock Cafe International has integrated its Hard Rock Bet platform into Unity by Hard Rock™, enhancing its loyalty program to offer straight-forward rewards across its 200+ global locations, including hotels, casinos, cafes, and Rock Shops. Hard Rock Bet players can now earn Tier Credits for both programs with online play and transfer points between Hard Rock Bet and Unity, allowing them to access benefits like free nights, dining experiences, merchandise, and free play. New users signing up for Hard Rock Bet are automatically registered for Unity membership.
Unity also includes partnerships with Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, enabling members to enjoy reciprocal benefits across land and sea. Keith Sheldon, President of Entertainment & Brand Management, described the integration as a “game-changer,” boosting guest engagement by connecting online play with on-property rewards.
Hard Rock Bet, Florida’s only legal sportsbook, is available in states like Arizona, New Jersey, Ohio, and Tennessee.
Hard Rock Bet, Unity by Hard Rock™ Loyalty Programs Come Together for Unprecedented Rewards
✈️ Big changes in Qantas’ frequent flyer program! ✈️
Qantas has announced significant changes to its loyalty program, increasing the number of frequent flyer points required for Classic Rewards seats and upgrades. Starting in August, domestic and international flights will see higher redemption costs. For example, a Sydney-Melbourne economy seat will rise from 8,000 to 9,200 points, and a business class Sydney-London seat will increase from 144,600 to 166,300 points.
The airline will also add more Classic Rewards seats and increase points earned on Qantas flights, though experts suggest these perks won’t offset the higher redemption costs. Critics have long noted the scarcity of Classic Rewards seats, particularly in premium classes, and fear the changes may further diminish the program’s value.
While Qantas defends the adjustments as necessary for long-term investment and transparency, loyalty experts advise frequent flyers to redeem points before August. Alternatives like Virgin Australia’s Velocity program, potentially boosted by Qatar Airways’ Avios scheme, may offer Australian travelers more competitive options in the future.
Qantas has announced changes to its loyalty program. But will they benefit frequent flyers?
