(Part One of a Series)

Consumers have always been somewhat selective when deciding which stores and restaurants they’ll patronize on a regular basis, but with the economy in its current state, retailers and food service operators face even more competition for a shrinking share of everyone’s disposable dollar. A well-honed customer loyalty program not only bolsters your potential to attract the attention of consumers who have never before visited your establishment; it also turns new customers into repeat customers who’ll be only too happy to spread the word about it to others.

With a loyalty program in place, you can target existing and potential customers via a variety of attractive offers, such as frequent shopper or diner discounts and “freebies” based on purchasing activity.  You can also encourage repeat business with birthday or anniversary rewards. Who doesn’t love a bargain or a free meal or gift? Given a choice between patronizing a store or restaurant that features such perks and one that doesn’t, consumers will generally go for the former.

What’s more, data gathered from loyalty program enrollment forms–for example, favorite foods or suggested additions to inventory or restaurant menus–is extremely valuable when it comes to making good business decisions. Initiatives that reflect customer preferences are bound to have a positive effect on cultivating a loyal clientele. And as if that weren’t enough, compared to the expense required to attract new customers with advertisements or sales, loyalty programs like these are an inexpensive way to keep existing customers coming back and the POS system ringing up sales.

pcAmerica’s Cash Register Express and Restaurant Pro Express feature a range of tools that make executing a loyalty program a simple process.