Shoppers' budgets get boost from new rewards

Shoppers' budgets get boost from new rewards programme

'Bigger savings and better rewards' for NZ shoppers is the promise of a new loyalty programme launched today (May 7) by two major supermarket brands.

The innovative programme centres on a card called the Foodtown Woolworths onecard similar to the successful Foodtown card introduced in 1994 but with additional benefits.

The Foodtown Woolworths onecard introduced by Progressive Enterprises gives cardholders discounted prices on more than 2,500 items every week in every Foodtown and Woolworths store.

Shoppers also accumulate points that are redeemed for additional rewards such as grocery cash vouchers and bonus rewards.

Progressive says the collection of points is continuous. For every $10 spent, shoppers receive one point accumulated automatically and for every 200 points they qualify for a reward.

Shoppers' cards are scanned at the supermarket checkout and the discounts are deducted. The points are also automatically calculated and added to customers' balances.

Shoppers who have accumulated 200 points are mailed three times a year so they can choose their rewards.

Points remaining after any rewards have been issued are carried forward as are any points less than 200. The points are valid for one year from their issue date.

For Foodtown cardholders, their existing card assumes all the benefits of the new Foodtown Woolworths onecard and it can now also be used at Woolworths stores.

There are 92 Foodtown and Woolworths stores nation-wide, all members of the Progressive Enterprises chain. Foodtown stores are located primarily in the Auckland region and in Wellington and Palmerston North while there are Woolworths stores from Invercargill to Whangarei.

Progressive Enterprises managing director Ted van Arkel says the Foodtown Woolworths onecard extends the highly successful Foodtown card of which one million are on issue in New Zealand.

"This is the one card you need to get bigger savings and better rewards at both Foodtown and Woolworths," he says.

"It's also important to understand the programme is flexible enough to grow its rewards base and I can say we are exploring additional options to widen the choice for shoppers."

Mr van Arkel says the card is all about the supermarkets being loyal to and rewarding their customers, not the other way round.

"Customers will find the rewards are targeted to their needs," he says. "From information provided when they apply for a card, and from information learned from their shopping habits, we are able to provide the rewards that people want.

"Of course, customers can choose whether or not they want a Foodtown Woolworths onecard. In all our research groups, customers tell us they like the card system and they are happy to tell us about themselves and their preferences if it means they get better service and special discounts focused on their needs.

"Also, all retailers strive to understand buying patterns and Foodtown Woolworths onecard enables us to fine tune our rewards offers and service."

Mr van Arkel says Progressive has been developing the programme since the merger with the Woolworths chain.

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