Explore the US retail loyalty programs market with this report. Covering consumer attitudes toward loyalty programs and brand loyalty, you’ll gain critical insights into what motivates consumers to brands consistently.
Below, we’ve summarized the key topics covered and offer hand-selected findings from the full document.
Key Topics Covered
- The impact of macroeconomic factors on the loyalty programs market.
- Reasons driving consumers to switch from one brand to another.
- Consumer brand loyalty by category and use of loyalty/reward programs by retailer.
- Desired features in loyalty programs.
US Retail Loyalty Programs Market Overview
More than seven in 10 consumers state that brand loyalty programs make them feel more valued. Through robust loyalty programs, brands can become part of consumers’ routines and deepen existing relationships. As budgeting becomes more important to consumers, loyalty programs can also become an essential tool. Going forward, with a lack of differentiation among brands in their programs, there are significant opportunities to improve their offerings.
Consumer Brand Loyalty Insights
- Loyalty goes beyond just purchase behavior. While most consumers believe loyalty comes down to what and where they habitually shop, there are other consumer definitions of loyalty. Providing reviews or interacting with brands on social media are just two other definitions consumers make.
- Consumers can be enticed to switch brands. High prices (56% agree) and a change in product quality are top-stated reasons for consumers to switch brands. As not all brands can compete on price, brands can leverage value add-ons such as free/fast shipping and good customer service to retain customers.
- Different features have different importance to consumers. Coming in at second place is a points system with rewards, and less important to consumers are special perks and personalized offers. Brands can combine top-priority features with less important features to differentiate from competitors.
For a comprehensive analysis of the loyalty programs market in the US, buy the full report. You may also be interested to view our retail promotions market report, or browse our retail market research.
Additional Features Included in Your Report
- Different Digital Formats: PDF for conveniently sharing with your team, PowerPoint for quickly including in your presentations.
- Custom PowerPoints: Incorporate our consumer research data into your own work so you can win over your clients and stakeholders. Select insights from your report to create a custom presentation that is ready to download in minutes.
- Interactive Databook: Each Databook is provided as an interactive website where you can deep dive into our consumer research data on your chosen topic so you can draw your own conclusions.
- Mintel’s Clients Portal: Our portal provides instant access to actionable analysis, podcasts, and trend pieces relevant to your industry that are published almost daily, as well as our annual Global Consumer Trends. You can also browse our extensive library of market research reports.
Expert Analysis
Leading retail analyst Marisa Ortega delivers expert industry analysis of the US loyalty programs market with this in-depth report.
Loyalty is evolving; it has become a two-way street where consumers want tangible benefits, and in return, reward businesses with their advocacy and dollars.
Marisa Ortega
Retail & eCommerce Analyst
-
- Key issues covered in this Report
-
Executive Summary
-
Consumer Insights
- What it means to be loyal
- Graph 1: what it means to be loyal to a brand/retailer, 2023
- Graph 2: what it means to be loyal to a brand/retailer, by gender, 2023
- Graph 3: what it means to be loyal to a brand/retailer, by age, 2023
- Loyalty drivers
- Graph 4: factors to be loyal to a brand or retailer – NET – Any rank, 2023
- Graph 5: factors to be loyal to a brand or retailer, by age – NET – any rank, 2023
- Graph 6: factors encouraging loyalty to a brand or retailer, by race and Hispanic origin – NET – any rank, 2023
- Reasons for switching
- Graph 7: reasons that would encourage switching brands/retailers, 2023
- Graph 8: reasons that would encourage switching brands/retailers, by age – NET – any rank, 2023
- Graph 9: reasons that would encourage switching brands/retailers, parental status – NET – any rank, 2023
- Loyalty, by product category
- Graph 10: brand loyalty, by product category, 2023
- Graph 11: brand loyalty, by product category and gender, 2023
- Graph 12: brand loyalty, by product category and age, 2023
- Use of loyalty/reward programs
- Graph 13: retailers where consumers use a reward or loyalty program, 2023
- Graph 14: retailers where consumers use a reward or loyalty program, by age, 2023
- Loyalty program features
- Graph 15: important features in loyalty programs, 2023
- Graph 16: important features in loyalty programs, by age, 2023
- Graph 17: important features in loyalty programs, by parental status, 2023
- Attitudes toward loyalty
- Graph 18: attitudes toward loyalty – rewards/loyalty program impact, by key demographics – NET – agree, 2023
- Graph 19: attitudes toward loyalty – feelings toward paid memberships, by key demographics – NET – agree, 2023
- Graph 20: attitudes toward loyalty – brand preferences, by gender and age, financial situation – NET – agree, 2023
- Graph 21: Attitudes toward loyalty – impact of inflation, by key demographics – NET – agree, 2023
-
Competitive Strategies
- Opportunities
-
The Market
- Market drivers
- Graph 22: quarterly real GDP growth, 2020-23
- Graph 23: headline CPI, core CPI, and shelter CPI, 2021-23
- Graph 24: opinions on financial future, 2024
- Graph 25: consumers that believe they will be worse-off, by household income, 2023
-
Appendix
Mintel: Market Intelligence Made Easier
The first Mintel Market Intelligence report was published over 50 years ago. Since then, we have provided our unique insights and understanding of consumers, innovation and global markets to thousands of customers worldwide. Here’s why our customers rely on Mintel:
- Gain a comprehensive, 360-degree view of the market: Mintel reports blend consumer research, market forecasts, product innovation tracking, and competitive analysis, allowing businesses to see every angle of their industry and identify new opportunities quickly.
- Make decisions with confidence, grounded in robust data: Each report draws on up-to-date, reliable information from trusted sources and industry experts, ensuring your strategies are based on solid evidence rather than speculation.
- Benefit from expert analysis and practical recommendations: Mintel’s reports are written by experienced analysts who interpret complex data and provide clear, actionable insights you can trust to guide your next moves.
- Stay ahead with actionable intelligence on market trends and consumer behaviour: By combining fresh research with long-term market monitoring, our reports help businesses anticipate changes and adapt strategically. So you’re prepared to make informed decisions and drive growth.
What goes into a Mintel Market Intelligence Report?
Curious about how a Market Intelligence report comes together? We like to think of it as building a detailed puzzle. We start with individual pieces: data from consumers, market statistics, industry trends, and online conversations. Then our expert analysts add world-class human insight and industry knowledge. The pieces are assembled to reveal a clear, comprehensive picture of a market.
The Four Pillars of Our Research
We use a combination of four main research methods when creating our reports, each adding a valuable perspective:
- Consumer Research: Direct surveys with real people, giving us clear, current insights into what people think and do.
- Desk Research: In-depth review of trusted data sources. We use this rich database, plus powerful internal tools that track new products and market sizes, to detect trends and guide forecasts.
- Trade Research: Insights from conversations with industry experts. Their real-world experience helps us understand what’s happening behind the scenes.
- Brand and Social Media Research: Analysis of online opinions and trends. This lets us spot trends, measure brand sentiment, and capture feedback in real time, adding further depth to our research.
Bringing It All Together
Each of these four pillars provides a different piece of the puzzle. Consumer research tells us what customers think, desk research provides the factual framework, trade research offers an insider’s view, and social media analysis reveals public sentiment.
Our expert analysts are skilled in weaving these diverse data streams together. They apply a range of quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques to uncover the deeper story, connecting the dots to deliver clear, actionable insights. This comprehensive, multi-layered process is how we transform raw data into a market intelligence report you can trust to inform your most important business decisions.
For a closer look at a Mintel Market Intelligence Report, take a look at the sample PDF report below:
-
Download today with instant access
Pay via credit card or purchase order
-
Multiple formats provided
We send a PDF, Powerpoint and Excel Databook straight to your inbox. An interactive version of the report is also available on our online platform
-
Interactive databook included
Focus on the data that matters most to you with a customisable databook avaliable on our platform
-
Save 10% on all orders with the code INSIGHTS2026
Offer available until the end of December only
Next Starts Here
Whatever your business needs, we have the solution. From market intelligence reports to customised growth strategies.
Learn moreTrusted by global industry leaders
Next Starts Here
Whatever your business needs, we have the solution. From market intelligence reports to customised growth strategies.
Learn more

