The Random Thoughts Thread

[FutureHeartsJunkie]

Metro (one of the big three grocery store chains in Canada) - is making a grand departure from the long time loyalty rewards program, Air Miles later this year. This marks the loss of a major grocery store partner since BMO (Bank of Montreal - one of the big five (plus one) banks in Canada) bought Air Miles last year from LoyaltyOne (a company which filed for bankruptcy last year). 

That announcement comes when Metro is expanding it's Quebec-exclusive program, "Moi" into Ontario. At the same time, the "Moi" rewards program is going to be offered at Food Basics in Ontario.

Over the years, Air Miles had lost a variety of retail partners. We saw that LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) has joined Aeroplan for it's rewards partner to Sobeys offering Scene+. Most recently, Petro-Canada (a gas station chain in Canada) has partnered with Canadian Tire on offering Triangle Rewards members to earn Triangle Rewards at Petro-Canada, while Petro-Canada allows Petro-Points customers to earn at Canadian Tire (or something like that).

Loyalty Rewards programs must find ways to stay revelant for customers of today's generation while balancing those who were long-time customers.