Sunday Times : Rewards & Loyalty 2016 RewardsAndLoyalty2016 | Page 55

[ TRENDS ] NO SIGN OF SLOWING FINANCIAL PRESSURE ON SOUTH AFRICAN CONSUMERS IS SEEING BUSINESS BULLISH ABOUT THE GROWTH AND IMPORTANCE OF LOYALTY PROGRAMMES, SAYS KATY CHANCE. “S outh Africa still has many years to go before its loyalty programmes reach saturation,” says Debbie Ghillino of The Incentive Company. “The average American belongs to 7.6 programmes – but programmes will need to adapt and be flexible to maintain members’ interest and be relevant.” Johan Moolman, CEO of FNB’s eBucks Rewards, says: “Although the average South African is an active member of about five rewards programmes, there is still space for the sector to grow, but new entrants need to keep pace with a rapidly changing customer base, and the communication platforms they use, to make sure that they are giving them real value. Existing programmes need to keep on their toes to remain sustainable and relevant in a rapidly changing, tech-savvy world.” Despite most sources citing that enticing new members is more expensive than retaining the existi