TORONTO, Ontario--()--RewardOps, a subsidiary of CORA Group, is a Software as a Service (SaaS) engagement platform that builds, tracks, and streamlines loyalty programs. RewardOps advises businesses to focus on delivering personal value through loyalty programs in 2025.

Well-executed loyalty programs are trending in consumer demand. They are appreciated by consumers and foster deeper engagement for businesses, directly impacting share of wallet, transaction frequency and spending. At their best, loyalty programs build lasting brand loyalty and create opportunities for businesses to ask for more from customers. This has been proven across most industries – including financial institutions, airlines, and retailers. However, the level of impact depends on customers’ perception of personal value in the offers. Without recognized value, even the most carefully designed loyalty programs risk failing to generate meaningful engagement.

RewardOps predicts that loyalty strategies will mature in three areas during 2025, bringing perceived personal value to new levels.

  • Personalization makes a comeback. In some verticals, reward options within loyalty programs have become overly transactional in recent years, leading to diminished performance and customer engagement. The pendulum is swinging back in 2025, with businesses refocusing on delivering tailored, relationship-driven experiences, aimed at building trust and ensuring customers feel valued and known. Examples include experiential rewards, getting discounts on frequently purchased items, or tiered rewards options.
  • Say goodbye to fragmentation. The loyalty experience has traditionally been fragmented, with businesses relying on multiple providers to manage various aspects of their loyalty programs. This siloed approach often resulted in inefficiency and poor customer experience. As consumer expectations evolve, there is a stronger demand for seamless, simple, and convenient shopping and fulfillment experiences. Redemption, often referred to as the “moment of truth”, remains a key driver of a loyalty program’s success. In 2025, businesses will prioritize eliminating friction across every touchpoint, investing in full-service providers to ensure that the entire customer journey feels effortless and consistent.
  • Rewards understood as currency. Consumers are increasingly viewing rewards as a form of currency, which means their value is integral to the shopping experience. In today's digital landscape, rewards aren't just perks; they influence purchasing decisions and spending habits. In fact, a recent CORA Group survey found that 73% of Americans consider reward-related factors when evaluating options for a new credit card. Businesses that offer meaningful rewards beyond basic cashback options - for example, through points, discounts, elevated experiences or status - will lead the way, making loyalty programs a vital component of customer retention and growth.

"To remain competitive in 2025 and beyond, businesses must evolve their loyalty strategies to deliver more than just transactional rewards,” says Beth McCoy, President at RewardOps. “By focusing on personalization, removing friction, and treating rewards as currency, brands can create more meaningful, long-term relationships with their customers. Loyalty programs that deliver true personal value are not just a nice-to-have anymore; they are essential for driving engagement, customer retention, and growth."

About RewardOps

An engagement ecommerce platform combining earn and burn capabilities to create positive disruption in the rewards space. RewardOps’ cloud-hosted infrastructure and SaaS approach sets it apart from other companies in the loyalty industry. Using RewardOps’ API-based software, forward-thinking companies in the loyalty industry can easily build, track and streamline their rewards programs. With one simple integration, RewardOps’ partners can access millions of products from a continuously growing marketplace of exciting reward suppliers for new and deepening levels of engagement. For more information, please visit https://www.rewardops.com/. Follow them on LinkedIn or X.