What was the problem?
The existing discount card created by Love Loughborough in their first term (Loughborough BID) was well received, with thousands in circulation throughout the area. But several limitations became apparent as time passed and technology progressed. Given that 57% of consumers want to engage with their loyalty programs via mobile devices (CMO, Adobe, 2017) and the numerous claims that apps will replace loyalty cards it was the perfect time to engage in a new solution for the town.
Visitors didn’t know what offers were available and business owners didn’t understand how well the deals were working for them. Not only this, the BID faced huge amounts of administration updating the offers on the website and keeping the business directory up to date.
How did we solve it?
Love Loughborough have been working with LoyalFree in a partnership which launched in July 2017.
With the LoyalFree app, locals of Loughborough can now easily find deals and collect loyalty stamps on their phones. Not only this, they can view local BID events and business reviews. Businesses love having easy to understand digital advertising – no technology or training is required. Lez Cope Newman, Chair of Love Loughborough BID said: “We are very excited about the new opportunities this will bring to Loughborough and the development of the businesses who operate here.”
LoyalFree has been proven to increase footfall and spend. This data is clearly communicated to BID managers in detailed monthly reports. Code is placed onto the BID website to automate adding businesses and offers to the BID website which has massively minimised office admin. Lisa is thrilled this has saved her a day a week!
Sophie Hainsworth of LoyalFree said: “Our solution is easy to use and requires no technology which makes it accessible to any type of business. We are really excited to work with the BID and to put Loughborough on the map of UK firsts.”
The partnership has been a visible and simple solution, a great source of local press and PR, a conversation starter at events and a great service to speak to the BID businesses about! You can see a testimonial about how this has worked for Loughborough BID by clicking here: http://bit.ly/2mxSkHo
How is it working?
The businesses didn’t have to lift a finger and there is no technology involved for them. Every business was added within days of the launch and Loughborough BID has started to see results already, such as:
- 109 businesses in Loughborough are offering discounts and engaging with their customers through the LoyalFree app
- Profiles have been viewed 16,558 times by 2,767 locals who have claimed discount 1,656 times – a lot of sales!
- A 15% footfall increase at the Small Business Saturday event where the app was being actively promoted
The app has been a great initiative to promote at events in the town such as Christmas Lights Switch on and Fresher’s Fair, giving something back to the loyal residents of the area. As such, LoyalFree has been recognised in many national awards such as the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, The FSB Awards, The Midlands Business Awards and most recently the Theo Paphitis Small Business competition.
Lisa Brown, Love Loughborough BID Manager: “Our partnership with LoyalFree has been more successful than we ever imagined. The setup process was hassle free and took up a very small amount of my time (it actually saved me a day week in admin!). Sophie and Jason did an amazing job of adding offers and loyalty schemes for a lot of the businesses in Loughborough.
We have seen a dramatic increase of 14.15% in footfall at our farmers market thanks to the app. The locals of Loughborough (and visitors to the town) have an easy way to find great offers and save money. The businesses and customers both love it. The Wilkos discount is particularly popular!”
Moving Forward
If your BID or area is interested in setting up a successful loyalty app email [email protected] today to set up a meeting.
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