A liquor store loyalty program is one of the best ways to turn casual shoppers into repeat customers.
When customers return more often, they spend more — according to Bain & Company, repeat customers spend 67% more than first-timers. In fact, just a 5% increase in customer retention can lead to a 25% boost in profits.
Despite these clear advantages, fewer than 35% of small businesses have a loyalty program in place — which presents a big opportunity for liquor store owners to set themselves apart from the competition and keep customers coming back.
Still not convinced? We’ve highlighted five practical benefits of a liquor store loyalty program, plus tips on how to implement them, so you can increase your store’s customer retention, sales, and overall reputation.
By offering recurring rewards, you give shoppers a reason to choose your store again and again. There are various approaches to building a loyalty program that makes sense for your store, including:
You don’t need to stick to just one kind of incentive — consider combining different approaches. For example, you can pair a punch card with a raffle: Customers enter to win a giveaway when they get the card and earn a free bottle after a set number of purchases. This way, they’re motivated by both the immediate reward and the chance for something extra down the line.
Whichever options you choose, a loyalty program that offers customers deals they can't resist will foster a dedicated clientele ready to spend.
When customers know that spending a little extra will unlock a special reward, they’re more likely to increase their purchase size. For instance, you can set up a rewards system where customers get a free item, discount, or an exclusive offer after reaching a specified amount of spending.
You can also encourage higher spending with bonus loyalty points for purchases above a certain threshold. For example, customers could earn double points when spending $100 or more, giving them more immediate value for spending a little extra.
Limited-time offers also create a sense of urgency. Exclusive discounts or flash sales available only to loyalty members push customers to act quickly, often resulting in larger purchases.
If you implement any of these initiatives, make sure the rewards feel worthwhile — and by gathering customer data, you’ll better understand which items or bundles are driving those higher spends.
Related Read: 6 Liquor Industry Trends Every Store Owner Should Follow
When a customer signs up for your liquor store’s loyalty program, you gain access to important data like contact info and purchase history. Over time, this data reveals trends about preferences and shopping habits, helping you make better decisions about your store’s program and inventory.
When you track customer’s repeat purchases, you can better tailor promotions around their favorites. You might also find patterns in their spending — maybe they’re more likely to buy during certain times of the year, or they tend to stock up on specific products during a sale.
Regularly assess customer data to fine-tune rewards over time. Are specific customers more likely to respond to discounts, or do they prefer free products? With this data in mind, you can offer rewards that feel personal and appealing, encouraging higher engagement and retention.
The more data you gather, the better you can refine your loyalty program and strengthen your brand by crafting targeted offers that resonate.
Your loyalty program strengthens your liquor store’s reputation in two ways: First, when customers associate your store with great deals and excellent service, they’re more likely to recommend it to others. Second, a referral reward program can encourage loyal shoppers to bring in new customers by offering incentives for spreading the word.
Related Read: Implementing a Liquor Store Loyalty Program? Read This First
Per The Wharton School, on average, a referred customer is 4.5 cents more profitable per day than a nonreferred customer. Factor in that the speed at which referred customers leave for competitors is 18% slower than nonreferred customers, and the benefit of referral programs becomes extremely clear.
A fun, easy way to boost your store’s reputation is to incentivize customers to post on social media. You can give loyalty program members 10% off of their next purchase if they post a photo on Facebook or Instagram, tagging your liquor store. Your customers’ network will see this content and be more likely to stop into your liquor store knowing that a connection of theirs enjoys shopping there.
A well-integrated point of sale (POS) system with data collection and reward features makes managing your liquor store’s loyalty program straightforward. With plenty of POS solutions on the market, Bottle POS stands out with its liquor store-specific design and built-in loyalty program, making it easy to grow and retain your customer base.
Here’s a quick look at how Bottle POS enhances your loyalty program:
Bottle POS makes setting up, managing, and tracking rewards simple, so employees can easily enroll customers and redeem perks without slowing down checkout. With an intuitive interface and automated features, keeping customers engaged has never been easier.
Related Read: 7 Ways To Use a Liquor Store POS System [+ Top Providers]
With the right approach, a loyalty program for your liquor store can turn occasional shoppers into regulars, build lasting relationships, and create a store experience that folks want to return to. The best programs work behind the scenes — collecting data, automating promotions, and keeping customers engaged without adding extra work for you or your staff.
If you’re looking for a POS solution designed for liquor stores that makes running a loyalty program easy, there’s no better option than Bottle POS. Schedule a free demo today to see how our solution can help you grow repeat business and increase sales.
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