Design a reward people actually finish
Choose a visit target and reward value that feel attainable without giving away the margin you need.
The best loyalty program is not the most generous one. It is the one customers can understand at a glance and believe they will complete.
01
Start with your natural rhythm
Look at how often a happy regular already visits. A coffee shop might see someone twice a week; a salon may see them every six weeks. Set the reward just beyond the behavior you want to encourage, not beyond what feels possible.
02
Make the reward concrete
“Member benefit” is vague. “A pastry on us” is visible and immediate. Customers should know what they are earning before they collect the first stamp.
03
Protect the experience
Simple terms prevent awkward counter conversations. Decide whether stamps expire, whether a reward can be transferred, and how soon another stamp can be issued.
Next field note
Bring customers back during quiet hours