One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well. Virginia Woolf
A Table Full of Smiles: The Magic of QSRs at Christmas
The simple joy of sharing a meal surrounded by love and laughter is timeless. Quick-service restaurants (QSRs) do just that and a little bit more! They serve food and create a space where connections flourish and memories are made.
December’s warmth isn’t just from holiday lights and festive cheer; it’s about the togetherness that melts away the winter chill. This season invites reflection, gratitude, and small gestures that bring people closer.
For QSRs, it’s also a time to reflect on their role in their customers’ lives. They can make a lasting impression by building stronger connections, aligning with special moments, and strategically enhancing loyalty programs.
With the average consumer planning to spend $613 this season, a 4% increase from last year, QSRs have a unique opportunity to align their loyalty programs with the spirit of togetherness and celebration.
Strategic loyalty efforts can transform ordinary dining into extraordinary experiences. Businesses must prioritize customer-centric approaches to increase customer retention, and executives should do everything they can to gather data correctly to use it in their long-term efforts.
Curious about how QSRs can leverage loyalty to stand out this holiday season? Read our blog to understand: “QSR Loyalty: The Ultimate Customer Experience.”
News From Around the World: Special Days at a Brand’s Heart
Spotify’s Seasonal Playlist Power
The Sounds of Shopping: Spotify’s Seasonal Playlist Power
The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without a festive soundtrack, and Spotify ensures its users shop, celebrate, and travel to their favourite tunes.
- 86% of Spotify users stream music during holiday shopping.
- Shoppers use music and podcasts to set the holiday mood in-store and online.
- Combining audio and video ads during these moments boosts familiarity and purchase intent, with research showing a 2.2x increase in intent when both formats are used.
Why it works?
Spotify captures the season's magic by offering advertisers a unique way to reach consumers during the year’s busiest shopping period.
Learn how to make the most of Spotify’s reach for your brand this holiday season!
Holiday Campaigns on Spotify: Stats & Examples | Spotify Ads
25 Days of Christmas
Disney Movie Rewards: Freeform’s “25 Days of Christmas” Campaign
Disney continues to sprinkle holiday magic, this time through a festive collaboration with Freeform cable that rewards loyal fans in the Disney Movie Rewards program.
From December 1st to 25th, members can visit associated social media pages daily to discover a unique “magic” code. This code changes every day of the promotion and can be entered at login to unlock bonus points.
How It Works
- Daily Surprises: Each code varies in value, keeping participants excited to see what each day brings.
- Maximum Rewards: Over the 25-day promotion, the most dedicated fans can earn up to 130 bonus points.
- Easy Redemptions: Members can begin redeeming rewards with as little as 5 points, ensuring every participant experiences the joy of Disney's holiday cheer.
Why It Works
The campaign’s element of surprise and daily interaction creates anticipation, keeping Disney top-of-mind during the holidays. By tying rewards to the season, Disney taps into the festive spirit and enhances member loyalty.
Loyalty Tip of the Month
Loyalty Tip #7: Community Bonding
As we enter the holiday season, the spirit of togetherness and connection is stronger. This is the perfect time to think beyond transactional loyalty programs and focus on creating a sense of community and belonging.
The holiday season is a time for people to gather, share, and give back. When your loyalty program centers on these themes, it creates a space for customers to bond with your brand and each other. That sense of connection, rooted in trust and mutual interest, leads to stronger, lasting loyalty that extends far beyond the season.
Why it works?
Research shows that 22% of consumers say a strong sense of community triggers long-term loyalty. During the holidays, when people are more focused on giving and sharing, connecting on an emotional level is especially powerful.
Ready to build loyalty that lasts long after the holidays? Shift your focus to community and let your customers feel like they’re part of your brand family.
Follow Kaizen Technology for more expert tips on creating loyalty programs that connect and resonate!
Insight of the Month
Loyalty in a Changing Retail Landscape
The pandemic and inflation have shifted consumer behaviour, creating challenges for brands looking to maintain loyalty. Recent data reveals that 75% of consumers tried new brands and stores during the pandemic, with discount retailers and mass merchants gaining an edge over speciality stores as inflation tightens spending.
- In the future, successful brands will likely emphasize loyalty programs, personalized experiences, and co-branding to build stronger, more profitable connections with consumers.
- While 65% of retail executives from high-performing brands expect 5%+ revenue growth, 71% of those from underperforming companies foresee minimal gains. Trust and engagement remain the core of long-term success in an inflation-weary market.
Read more from Deloitte
Welcome to Your Loyalty Calendar: Holiday Season Edition
At Kaizen, we believe the holiday season isn’t just about twinkling lights and festive cheer—it’s a time for fresh starts and meaningful connections. That’s why we’ve created this special Loyalty Calendar to inspire you with new ways to strengthen customer relationships during December and beyond.
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