The Loyalty NewswireMarch 10, 2025

Global News Roundup from The Wise Marketer

From the Editor

Do you know about “The Vault”?

If you are a CLMP™ you have exclusive access to tools, research and thought leaders. The Vault has over 9 years of information you can access in one click.

Are you curious what the latest loyalty market studies are saying or about the politics of brand loyalty?
What about travel and loyalty or consumer trends?
How about consumers’ openness to AI? The “2025 Consumer Adoption of AI Report” is our latest addition to the vault and can be easily downloaded.

If you are a CLMP, go to https://loyaltyacademy.org/login/ to login, then click “The Vault” button on the top left. We are always adding relevant information, and it’s all just one click away.

If you are not a CLMP, please drop a note to Nadine Rubin (nadiner@loyaltyacademy.org) to learn how to join the group and take advantage of another great benefit from The Loyalty Academy™ community.

Thank you and have a great week.

Stay. Loyal. Always.

Managing Editor, The Wise Marketer

Global News Roundup

New Research from The Wise Marketer and Engage People Reveals 90% of Consumers Are Willing to Switch Brands for Better Rewards

Engage People, the only loyalty network that enables program members to pay with points directly at checkout, commissioned a new survey from The Wise Marketer as part of its ongoing research series on consumer loyalty trends titled “Cashing Out: What Consumers Expect from Loyalty Programs.”

The report found that 90% of consumers are open to switching brands, underscoring the growing importance of financial-based rewards-such as the ability to Pay with Points (PwP)-in driving consumer retention and engagement. Download this new report here.

New White Paper from Exchange Solutions Shows Why Personalization is Key to Path to Purchase in 2025

The path to purchase has been completely transformed over the last decade. Today, discovery and decision-making extend far beyond traditional ecommerce sites, spilling into video platforms, social media and even AI tools.

By the time a visitor lands on a branded ecommerce site – whether directed by these channels or through an omnichannel marketing campaign – brands have only one opportunity to convert curiosity into commitment. The key is delivering seamless and relevant experiences that drive conversion. In this new White Paper from Exchange Solutions, you’ll learn why Personalization is the foundation of these customer experiences, which is why it’s no longer a differentiator: it’s a requirement.

Seven & i Holdings Announces Plan to Unlock Shareholder Value

In a press release dated March 6, Seven & i Holdings announced plans to unlock shareholder value through Leadership Changes and Transformational Capital and Business Initiatives. What does that mean? The plan includes four key announcements:

Stephen Hayes Dacus was name President & Representative Director and CEO
The company will pursue an IPO of SEI, its convenience store business in North America known as 7-Eleven, by the second half of 2026 on one of the major U.S. stock exchanges.
Entered into an agreement to sell the Superstore Business Group (grocery business) to a Bain Capital owned special purpose company for JPY 814.7 billion (USD 5.37billion)
Will begin share buybacks upon close of the Superstore Business Group transaction and conclude by FY2030.

Read the full announcement here.

New from the Loyalty Science Lab: Unlocking Loyalty & the Psychology of Lasting Customer Relationships

A new article from Dr. Yuping Liu-Thompkins, Director Loyalty Science Lab, dives into the psychology behind successful programs, exploring how to leverage switching costs, habit development, and a sense of community to boost customer loyalty. “How Loyalty Programs Work” is part two in a series that reveals how these mechanisms, combined with those discussed in part one (rewarded behavior effect, point pressure, and elevated status), can create a powerful, engaging experience for your customers.

Learn how to avoid common pitfalls, build valuable long-term relationships, and drive sustainable results. Read here to discover the secrets to building a loyalty program that truly resonates.

Will Walgeens’ Transition to a Private Company Improve its Fortunes?

Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) finalized a $10 billion deal, worth as much as $23.7 billion, with Sycamore Partners to go private. Sycamore is a New York-based private equity firm that specializes in retail business investments. It has invested in brands like Staples, Ann Taylor Loft, Aéropostale, and Express.

Shareholders will receive a total of $11.45 per share in cash, or $10 billion, at the closing of the Sycamore transaction, the statement said. The additional value in the deal comes from an added $3 in future monetization of the company’s debt and equity interest in VillageMD. The drugstore giant’s stock jumped over 7% in trading on Friday after the news that the company was preparing to exit the public markets.

Implement These 17 Digital Marketing Strategies in 2025 for Success

You may know everything about digital marketing strategy, but what about the rest of your team? What do your new hires, interns, and others new to the business need to know to gain a foundation in this aspect of marketing?

National Employee Appreciation Day was this past Friday March 7. It’s not too late to give your employees the gift of knowledge. This guide provides a list of key topics to understand and will help your team discover marketing strategies to drive revenue growth.

KPMG: How to Lead with Humans in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

In an era dominated by artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation, organizations are racing to adopt the latest technologies in pursuit of innovation. Yet many are missing a fundamental truth: the most powerful catalyst for innovation isn’t found in algorithms or automation, but in the uniquely human capabilities of creativity, curiosity, empathy, and collaboration.

KPMG shares its “5 Mys” framework as a structured approach you can adopt to make your human capital the most powerful part of a new AI led business model.

How to Create Short Form Video to Build Your Brand

Everyone from big brands to independent marketers are expected to be comfortable with short-form video creation. But for those who have not worked as creators or have more experience with long-form video, it’s difficult to know where to start.

Emarketer shares a solid list of the tools, and their use cases, creators and brands should consider when creating short-form video.

Cap Gemini: Retail Banks Face a Loyalty Crunch

The Capgemini Research Institute’s World Retail Banking Report 2025, published March 11 today, reveals a critical shortcoming in how retail banks appeal to the demands of digital-native urban clients between the ages of 18-45.

According to the report, while 73% of these credit card customers are motivated primarily by access to exclusive experiences, rewards and cashback offers, three-quarters (74%) are currently indifferent or outright dissatisfied with their card experience. Read the press release here.

There’s still time to register for two big opportunities coming up in May and June:

CRMC Mastering Customer Marketing with Emerging Technology in Retail. Join us in Chicago again this year on June 4-6th. Register here.

Loyalty Connect Global in Dubai. Register today with offer code TWMLCG and receive £50 off your conference fee. Register here.

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