Woolworths has recently announced the major changes to its "Everyday Rewards" loyalty program.
Australian Food News informed that the retailer company axed the ability for shoppers to earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points. Customers will earn discount "dollars" which are automatically deducted when they use their rewards card at the checkout. Moreover, the supermarket said that the new program will allow customers to earn discounts easily and orange stickers in-store will inform how much of a discount can be earned on products.
Woolworths Food Group's Managing Director Brad Banducci has confirmed that the change is part of the chain's renewal plans which were announced earlier this year.
We are placing the customer at the start of everything we do," Brad stated in May 2015 when he outlined the plans. "This strategy will result in lower prices, more compelling offers, and greater innovation."
"What is clear is that while lower prices are essential, the true battleground is the overall customer experience," he added at that time. "So we will not be beaten on price, and we will provide better convenience, superior freshness and a more appealing range, and a focus on innovation."
Brad further said that its customers were "also getting fewer of their needs exclusively from us" despite the fact that Woolworths has 14.6 million regular customers and 500,000 online customers who were visiting Woolworths more frequently than ever before.
"Put simply, we need to gain customer trust and a greater share of their shopping basket, and we have a clear plan and the investment capacity to do so," Brad continued. "By getting Customers to put us first, we can regain the sustainable sales momentum we need to extend our leadership," he said.
Shoppers will still have the opportunity to earn Frequent Flyer points until the end of the year. Meanwhile, Woolworths "Everyday Rewards" currently has nine million shoppers signed onto the program.
