The world of shopping is changing fast and loyalty programs are right at the center of it. In this episode, I share expert insights from Stephanie Meltzer-Paul, a veteran loyalty expert and the brains behind the So Many Points newsletter, and dive into how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way brands connect with customers.

I also explore how loyalty programs are evolving from simple point systems into personalized, data-driven experiences, how AI-powered recommendations change the customer journey, what role data privacy plays in consumer trust, and what businesses should focus on if they want to create loyalty programs that actually work in today’s AI-driven marketplace. Whether you’re a retail marketer, or simply curious about the future of shopping, this episode will give you fresh insights into what’s next.

This episode is sponsored by Connected Commerce at Acosta Group

Timeline

[1:48] - Why loyalty programs need to adapt in the AI shopping era
[5:30] - How personalization is transforming the customer experience
[9:15] - The balance between convenience and privacy in data use
[13:02] - Examples of brands leveraging AI for smarter loyalty strategies
[17:40] - Where loyalty programs often fail—and how to fix it
[22:05] - Predictions for the future of customer loyalty in AI-driven retail

Links & Resources

Subscribe to Stephanie Meltzer-Paul's So Many Points, a newsletter for loyalty and CRM marketers that cuts through industry nonsense with insider takes and pointed opinions
Follow Stephanie Meltzer-Paul on LinkedIn
New research from Yale & Columbia, What Happens When AI Does Your Shopping?
Retail Media Breakfast Club article, What Is Your AI Agent Buying? [New Research]
Retail Media Breakfast Club article, Why Agentic Shopping Poses an Existential Threat to Retail Media (Part 2)
Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletter
Follow Kiri on LinkedIn

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