The evolution of the card linked space is happening in unexpected ways, as we saw this week at Cardlinx’s San Francisco conference. It was the association’s largest event in its two year history. Basically — the table has been set; a number of early arriving guests have arrived; and we are now waiting for real momentum and numbers to come in.
The first to come on board have been the larger companies, which thrive on the analytics – they want to know who their customers are, and how to market to them. The smaller merchants are more impacted by the direct impact of offers that drive store traffic and are still using their traditional options (ads, dm, coupons, etc.)
The event’s large attendance –130+ — reflected the rollout of several key card-linked based projects, such as Plenti from Amex, Macy’s, AT&T, Enterprise Rent a Car, Exxon Mobile and others; and a major card linked rollout from Whole Foods. Living Social has added a card linked element in dining rewards; and Groupon is tentatively preparing one as well, with 15 percent off as a constant feature.
Card linking is also seen as being deeply integrated with payment and messengering programs that are more directly driving commerce. Facebook, for instance — a Cardlinx member –appears to be studying a role for card linking on its growing Messenger platform, which is already set to provide shipping updates, book rides and send money.
Widely used, well-subscribed platforms are expected to add scale to card linked concepts as well. Speaking at the event, Empyr CEO Jon Carder said he could see 20 million active consumers building a $10 billion annual business –with $750 million in revenues going to the participating card linked offer companies. “It is a network effect,” he said. “The more participants, the more consumers you have, the more revenue you get. “
Whole Foods has whole-heartedly embraced its card linked program – which is a bit of a surprise for a company that has historically been “discount reluctant.” Payments Marketing Director Marushka Bland said card linking will give it an edge as the company faces serious competition in the organic grocery space from Kroger, Costco, Walmart and others. The company is now “much more open to worrying about its customers and eager to focus on things like loyalty.”
Whole Foods started rolling out its affinity program on a small scale in 2014. It is currently rolling out digital coupons. “It is about our customers and how they shop with us,” said Bland. “Execution, targeting and attribution” are the keys to the program, with a target goal of 10 percent incremental spend.
Incremental spend is also the chief goal for Excentus President and CEO Brandon Logsdon, who stressed that the key is not to focus on Card Linked Offers, but on getting participation in card linked programs. (He’s right: I’m going to phase out my own references to CLOs.)
Excentus rolled out its Fuel Rewards program in 2012. More than 6.5 million cards have been registered, and there is an active group of 1.4 million linked cards. Customers have spent $450 million on a growing list of affiliating merchants, and gotten $3.6 million back on fuel costs (roughly 5 cents a gallon). Logsdon adds that the merchants are seeing brand new spending from the programs. Fifty percent of those coming in are new customers; and 65 percent of promoted sales are incremental.
Empyr CEO Jon Carder