10 Industries Where Loyalty Programs Are Extremely Effective

When you think of loyalty programmes, your mind probably goes straight to coffee shops and hair salons. And yes, a stamp card at your local café absolutely works. But loyalty programmes have evolved far beyond "buy ten, get one free."

Today, digital loyalty platforms give businesses of all kinds the tools to build lasting customer relationships, encourage repeat purchases, and collect valuable data — without complicated systems or expensive technology.

The question isn't whether loyalty programmes work. It's whether your business is making the most of them.

Here are ten industries where loyalty programmes deliver real results — and practical ways to apply these strategies to your own business.

1. Food and Beverage

Cafés, restaurants, and takeaways were among the first businesses to embrace loyalty programmes, and for good reason. The economics just work.

When someone visits your coffee shop three times a week, a free drink every tenth visit costs you very little — but it creates a powerful habit loop. Customers feel rewarded for doing what they already enjoy, and you benefit from predictable, repeat revenue.

But paper punch cards have a problem: they get lost, forgotten, or left at home. That's why digital stamp cards have become the standard for food and beverage businesses that want to maximise their loyalty programme's impact.

What makes this work:

• Customers always have their phone with them

• Push notifications can remind them to visit during slow periods

• You can track purchasing patterns and adjust your menu accordingly

• Digital cards integrate directly with Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, so there's nothing extra to download

A bakery using a digital loyalty card might notice that stamp redemptions spike on Friday afternoons. That's actionable intelligence — now they know to staff up and stock their most popular items for that window.

Try this: Set up a simple stamp card (buy 8 coffees, get 1 free) and use push notifications to drive traffic during your quietest trading hours. With Perkstar, you can schedule these messages in advance and target customers based on their last visit.

2. Health and Beauty

Salons, barbershops, nail bars, and spas thrive on repeat business. Your clients aren't making a one-time purchase — they're booking appointments every few weeks for months or years.

That makes beauty one of the most natural fits for loyalty programmes. You're not convincing people to come back; you're giving them an extra reason to choose you over the competition.

The beauty industry has moved well beyond basic punch cards, though. Smart salon owners are using digital loyalty platforms to:

• Reward clients for trying new services (not just their regular appointment)

• Send birthday rewards that feel personal, not automated

• Collect reviews after appointments when satisfaction is highest

• Build membership programmes for their most loyal clients

What makes this work:

A points-based system often works better than stamps for beauty businesses because services vary in price. Someone booking a full colour treatment should earn more than someone getting a quick trim. Points let you reward proportionally while keeping things simple for customers.

Try this: Set up a points card where clients earn 1 point per pound spent. Offer tiered rewards — a free conditioning treatment at 100 points, 20% off their next service at 250 points. This encourages clients to book higher-value services and gives them something to work towards.

3. Fitness and Wellness

Gyms, yoga studios, and personal trainers know that member retention is everything. Acquiring a new member costs far more than keeping an existing one — and most people who cancel a gym membership never come back.

Loyalty programmes in fitness aren't just about discounts. They're about building habits and celebrating progress.

Consider what actually motivates people to stick with their fitness routine: seeing results, feeling part of a community, and having something to work towards. A well-designed rewards programme taps into all three.

What makes this work:

• Multipass cards work brilliantly for class-based businesses (buy 10 classes, get 2 free)

• Points can reward consistency: extra points for visiting three times in one week

• Referral rewards turn your happiest members into ambassadors

A boutique fitness studio might offer members double points during January (when motivation is high) and bonus rewards for bringing a friend to class. This captures new members during peak season while rewarding loyalty.

Try this: Create a multipass card for class packs and add a referral programme that rewards both the existing member and their friend. Perkstar's referral feature lets you automate this entirely — when a referral signs up, both parties get rewarded automatically.

4. Retail

Whether you run a gift shop, a clothing boutique, or a specialist retailer, you're competing for attention in a crowded market. Online shopping has made it easier than ever for customers to compare prices and switch to whoever offers the best deal.

A loyalty programme shifts the conversation. Instead of competing purely on price, you're building a relationship. Customers who've accumulated points or stamps have an investment in your shop — and they're less likely to wander elsewhere.

What makes this work:

Retail loyalty programmes work best when they feel valuable, not stingy. If customers have to spend £500 to earn a £5 reward, they'll lose interest. But if they can see meaningful progress towards a reward they actually want, they'll keep coming back.

The data matters too. When you know what your customers buy and when they buy it, you can send relevant offers that feel helpful rather than spammy.

Try this: Launch a points card with a welcome bonus — new members get 50 points just for signing up. This creates immediate engagement and gives customers a reason to think about their next purchase right away. With Perkstar, you can automate welcome rewards and set expiry windows that encourage return visits.

5. Supplements and Vitamins

Here's an industry that's perfectly suited for loyalty programmes but often overlooked.

People who take supplements seriously tend to buy the same products month after month. They're not impulse shoppers — they're making planned, repeat purchases. That predictability is gold for a loyalty programme.

If someone buys the same protein powder every four weeks, a loyalty programme transforms that transaction into a relationship. Points accumulate, rewards become achievable, and switching to a competitor means starting from zero.

What makes this work:

The key is making rewards feel substantial enough to matter. If your average customer spends £40 per month on supplements, they should be able to earn a meaningful reward within a few months — not a few years.

Subscription-style loyalty programmes work particularly well here. Membership cards that offer ongoing discounts or early access to new products tap into the same psychology that makes supplement buyers so consistent in the first place.

Try this: Offer a membership card that gives holders 10% off every purchase. Charge a small annual fee or make it free for customers who spend above a certain threshold. This creates VIP status that encourages ongoing loyalty.

6. Pet Supplies and Services

Pet owners are some of the most loyal customers you'll find — and the most consistent spenders.

Between food, grooming, vet visits, treats, and accessories, pet parents spend thousands of pounds each year on their animals. They also tend to stick with brands and suppliers they trust, especially when it comes to their pet's health.

That makes pet businesses — from independent pet shops to groomers and dog walkers — ideal candidates for loyalty programmes.

What makes this work:

Pet purchasing cycles are predictable. Dog food runs out on a schedule. Grooming needs regular appointments. Flea treatments follow a monthly rhythm. A loyalty programme that acknowledges these cycles can remind customers when it's time to restock or rebook, combining helpful service with smart marketing.

Try this: Set up a stamp card for grooming appointments (book 5 grooms, get the 6th half-price) and use automated push notifications to remind pet owners when their dog is due for a trim. Perkstar's geo-fenced notifications can even ping customers when they walk past your shop — a gentle reminder without feeling intrusive.

7. Automotive Services

Car washes, mechanics, tyre shops, and MOT centres all share one challenge: customers only think about you when they need you. Between visits, you're essentially invisible.

Loyalty programmes change that dynamic. They keep your business top of mind and give customers a reason to choose you instead of whoever's closest when their tyre goes flat.

What makes this work:

Automotive services are often commoditised — one oil change feels much like another. A loyalty programme creates differentiation. If a customer has accumulated stamps toward a free car wash or discount on their next service, they're far less likely to try somewhere new.

Prepaid service packages (multipass cards) work particularly well here. Selling a bundle of car washes upfront guarantees revenue and locks in repeat visits.

Try this: Offer a "wash club" multipass where customers buy 5 washes and get 2 free. This front-loads your revenue and creates a customer who needs to visit you repeatedly to get value from their purchase.

8. Professional Services

Accountants, consultants, solicitors, and other professional service providers often assume loyalty programmes aren't for them. That's a missed opportunity.

While the traditional stamp card doesn't quite fit, other loyalty mechanics work beautifully. Referral programmes turn satisfied clients into a sales force. Membership tiers create VIP experiences for your best clients. Discount cards reward long-term relationships.

What makes this work:

Professional services live and die by referrals. A happy client who refers a friend is worth far more than any advertising. A formalised referral programme — where both parties receive a reward — makes clients more likely to make that introduction.

Membership programmes also work well for services with ongoing relationships. A bookkeeping firm might offer "preferred client" status with priority scheduling and quarterly reviews for clients on an annual retainer.

Try this: Launch a referral programme that rewards existing clients with a service credit when someone they refer becomes a client. Make the process simple — Perkstar generates unique referral links that clients can share via email or text.

9. Tourism and Leisure

Attractions, tour operators, activity centres, and leisure venues often focus on attracting new visitors. But repeat visits are where the real profit lies.

Someone who visits your escape room once might come back for every new room you launch. A family who enjoys your farm park might become annual members. A tourist who takes your walking tour might book your food tour next time they visit.

What makes this work:

Leisure businesses have natural upsell opportunities. A loyalty programme can encourage customers to try different experiences, visit during off-peak times, or bring friends and family.

Discount coupons for return visits — sent a week after someone's first experience — capture customers while the memory is still fresh. Points programmes reward exploration across your full range of activities.

Try this: Create a digital coupon offering 20% off a return visit within 30 days. Send it automatically after someone's first booking. This single automation can significantly boost your return visitor rate.

10. Education and Training

This one might surprise you, but loyalty mechanics are finding their way into education — and they work.

Training providers, tutoring centres, music schools, and driving instructors all benefit from encouraging ongoing engagement. A child who attends piano lessons for years generates far more revenue than one who quits after a term.

What makes this work:

Loyalty programmes in education aren't about "buying" grades or attendance. They're about recognising commitment and celebrating milestones.

A driving school might offer bonus lessons for passing first time. A language school might reward students who complete multiple course levels. A tutoring centre might offer family discounts that encourage siblings to enrol together.

Try this: Build a referral programme specifically for parents. Offer a free lesson credit when they refer another family. Word-of-mouth is powerful in education, and formalising it accelerates growth.

The Common Thread: Building Relationships That Last

Across all ten industries, the underlying principle is the same: loyalty programmes help you build relationships with customers, not just transactions.

When someone earns points at your shop, uses stamps at your café, or accumulates rewards with your service, they're investing in a relationship. That investment creates switching costs — and switching costs create loyalty.

The businesses that win aren't necessarily offering the biggest discounts or the flashiest rewards. They're the ones making customers feel valued, recognised, and appreciated.

Getting Started with Your Loyalty Programme

You don't need complicated technology or a massive budget to launch an effective loyalty programme. Modern digital loyalty platforms have made it accessible for businesses of any size.

With Perkstar, you can create digital loyalty cards — stamp cards, points cards, membership programmes, and more — that work directly with Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. No app download required. No expensive hardware. Just straightforward tools to help you build customer loyalty.

Start your free 14-day trial — no credit card required.