Discover 10 loyalty trends shaping 2024 and redefining customer engagement for 2025.
Loyalty programs have long been an essential element of customer retention strategies. Brands like Starbucks and Sephora set the standard for rewarding and engaging customers, but as consumer expectations evolve, loyalty programs must evolve too.
In 2024, new trends have emerged that will redefine loyalty and how businesses interact with their customers in 2025. These trends include gamification, AI-driven personalization, sustainability, and seamless omnichannel experiences, all of which will shape how brands build loyalty in the coming years.
In this blog, we’ll explore 10 key trends for customer loyalty in 2024 and explain why they’re critical for businesses looking to stay ahead of the curve and build a strong, sustainable strategy for 2025 and beyond.
What it is: A subscription-based loyalty program is where customers pay a regular fee to get special perks, like free shipping, exclusive discounts, or access to events. It’s like joining a VIP club where the more you pay, the more you get in return.
Subscription-based loyalty models are becoming a go-to strategy for brands looking to offer ongoing value to customers, now being used by brands such as Taco Bell and Amazon Prime.
Through our integrations with platforms like Loop Subscriptions and Recharge, brands can enhance their subscription models with loyalty-driven rewards. These integrations allow businesses to incentivize customers with loyalty points for subscription-based actions like sign-ups or renewals, driving both engagement and retention.
Keep an eye out for more subscription-based integrations coming in 2025 to help brands unlock even greater potential for their loyalty programs.
This approach helps businesses generate predictable, recurring revenue while delivering consistent perks to customers. The sense of exclusivity and the promise of ongoing rewards makes these programs particularly attractive to loyal shoppers.
What it is: Omnichannel loyalty means customers can earn and redeem rewards no matter where they shop, whether it’s online, in a store, or through a mobile app. It creates a smooth and consistent experience for customers across all platforms.
With 73% of customers using multiple channels while shopping, switching between online and in-store interactions, omnichannel loyalty programs meet the needs of today’s shoppers by bridging these experiences.
Influence.io enhances this experience with our Stampcard feature, which replicates the classic coffee shop loyalty card digitally, allowing customers to easily track and redeem rewards wherever they shop.
Brands that create integrated loyalty experiences across all touchpoints are poised to deliver a cohesive and satisfying customer journey that drives repeat business.
What it is: Community-driven loyalty is when brands create a sense of belonging by offering special events or engaging customers through social media groups. It’s like building a fan club where loyal customers can interact, share experiences, and get exclusive access.
Building a community around a brand has never been more powerful. Consumers are increasingly looking for a sense of belonging and connection with the brands they support.
Loyalty programs that focus on building a strong sense of community can play a key role in enhancing customer engagement, which is essential for driving deeper connections and long-term loyalty.
By offering exclusive access to events, customer forums, or social media campaigns, brands can foster a sense of shared purpose among their most dedicated customers.
This approach strengthens brand advocacy and encourages customers to promote the brand to others.
What it is: Real-time loyalty programs give instant rewards for actions like purchasing or sharing on social media. Instead of waiting for rewards to accumulate, customers get instant recognition for their loyalty.
Our Digital StampCard can be a key feature in these programs, allowing customers to accumulate stamps or points with each qualifying purchase or interaction. As soon as they meet the criteria, their progress is instantly tracked, and rewards can be redeemed in real time (e.g., “Buy 10, get 1 free”). This instant gratification, paired with real-time point tracking and reward notifications, keeps customers engaged and excited.
Whether customers are making a purchase, interacting with the brand on social media, or collecting stamps, they appreciate immediate recognition for their actions. This enhances the customer experience, driving continued engagement.
What it is: Social media integration means customers earn rewards for engaging with the brand on social platforms, like sharing a post or using a hashtag. It’s a way for brands to reward customers for promoting their business to their network.
Influence.io supports this trend by enabling brands to reward customers for engaging with them on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, making loyalty social and impactful.
Interested in other integrations? See our library: https://www.influence.io/integrations
Social media is an essential tool for boosting customer engagement and increasing brand visibility, which is why more loyalty programs are integrating social media actions like sharing, following, or tagging into their reward structures.
Customers can earn points or rewards for social media interactions, turning them into brand ambassadors.
Whether it’s posting photos of products, using branded hashtags, or tagging friends, integrating social media into loyalty programs amplifies brand exposure while rewarding customers for helping spread the word.
What it is: Hybrid loyalty programs combine different types of rewards, like points and tier levels, to appeal to various types of customers. For example, you earn points for purchases but can also unlock better rewards as you reach higher levels.
This hybrid model appeals to different types of customers - those motivated by rewards and those seeking status or exclusivity.
A more flexible and personalized approach ensures that a wider range of customers feels valued, ultimately driving greater satisfaction and loyalty.
What it is: Gamification is when brands add game-like elements, like earning points or badges, to their loyalty programs. It’s like turning shopping into a fun activity where customers earn rewards for doing things like making a purchase or sharing on social media.
Gamification is one of the most exciting trends in loyalty programs today. By introducing elements like points, badges, and challenges, brands make loyalty programs feel more like a game, which increases customer engagement.
In fact, understanding what gamification is and how it can improve your loyalty program can help businesses to create experiences that are not only engaging but also drive measurable results.
Loyalty tiers are a prime example of gamification in action. As customers climb through tiers by earning points or completing specific actions, they experience a sense of achievement that motivates continued engagement.
This sense of accomplishment and fun can drive repeat behavior, keeping customers engaged long-term. A study found that 60% of customers are more likely to purchase from a business if it has gamified elements.
Loyalty programs that tap into the gamification trend don’t just incentivize purchases - they create memorable experiences that customers want to return to.
What it is: Personalization goes beyond offering generic discounts; it’s about tailoring rewards to each customer’s unique preferences, like giving them a birthday reward or a discount on the products they love.
While personalization in loyalty programs was once limited to simple offers or discounts, customers now expect more nuanced and individualized experiences,with 65% of customers expecting companies to adapt to their changing needs and preferences.
In 2024, customers want rewards that reflect their specific interests or habits. Whether it’s receiving exclusive discounts on favorite products, early access to sales, or personalized birthday rewards, the more tailored the experience, the stronger the emotional connection.
Personalization is the key to standing out.
What it is: Sustainability in loyalty programs means rewarding customers for making eco-friendly choices, such as buying green products or choosing carbon-neutral shipping. It’s a way for businesses to align their loyalty programs with social and environmental values.
As consumers become more environmentally conscious, many are seeking brands that align with their values. In fact, 63% of survey respondents agreed that sustainability is an important aspect in staying loyal to a brand.
Loyalty programs that prioritize sustainability are not just trendy – they're essential.
Influence.io offers tools like the Donation Redeem Rule, empowering businesses to give their customers the option to donate loyalty points to meaningful causes.
By incorporating eco-friendly rewards and ethical practices into loyalty programs, brands not only appeal to conscientious customers but also foster deeper loyalty by demonstrating their commitment to a better world.
What it is: AI-driven insights use technology to analyze customer behavior and predict what they might want in the future, allowing brands to offer more personalized rewards. It’s like having a smart assistant that helps the business know exactly what rewards to offer each customer based on their preferences.
Through AI-driven analytics, businesses can predict customer preferences based on past behavior, tailoring rewards that truly resonate with individual customers.
This personalization goes beyond simple discounts - it’s about offering customers exactly what they want, when they want it. Brands that can use AI to personalize their loyalty rewards will see higher engagement and increased customer satisfaction.
Platforms like Influence.io offer tools to help deliver a personalised experience through your loyalty program.
The customer loyalty landscape is evolving rapidly, and businesses that stay ahead of these trends will set themselves up for long-term success. By embracing gamification, AI-driven personalization, omnichannel experiences, and sustainability, companies can create loyalty programs that resonate with today’s consumers.
These trends aren’t just passing fads - they represent the future of loyalty. Adapting to these changes will help businesses foster deeper customer connections, increase customer retention, and stay competitive in a fast-changing market.
For businesses looking to implement these trends, platforms like Influence.io offer the tools, insights, and flexibility needed to build powerful loyalty programs that drive engagement and foster long-term growth. Get started with Influence.io today!
