Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Finds Credit Card Success by Tapping Customer Loyalty
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is experiencing early success with its first-ever credit card, launched in partnership with financial tech firm Sunbit in August. The card builds on Ollie’s Army, the store’s long-established loyalty program. Executives report that credit card holders spend twice as much as regular loyalty members and shop more frequently. Surprisingly, the card is also seeing substantial off-brand usage, which means customers use it outside of Ollie’s far more than the typical store card. This suggests it has become part of many customers’ everyday wallets.
Sunbit Chief Customer Officer Bill Walsh said, “The level of engagement is high even for our business. Ollie’s has got a great brand and a really loyal customer base. … It’s not just a product that you’re using one time in order to finance a purchase, but it actually becomes your everyday card.”
The card is part of a broader strategy that has fueled Ollie’s growth while competitors like Big Lots struggle. Since its founding in 1982, Ollie’s has cultivated customer devotion through humorous branding, treasure-hunt shopping experiences, and discount merchandise sourced from bankrupt retailers. The store’s charm lies in the unexpected. Customers don’t shop with a list but instead discover surprise deals on everything from window AC units to skateboards. Its loyalty program, which includes a military-style ranking system based on spend, accounts for more than 80% of in-store sales, and its members spend roughly 40% more than non-members. The new credit card supports Ollie’s continued expansion and appeals to a growing, more diverse customer base. With over 15 million active loyalty members and a recent acquisition of dozens of former Big Lots locations, Ollie’s plans to open 75 new stores this year. Its total store count now sits at 559 across 31 states.
Learn more about Ollie’s credit card here: https://www.ollies.com/pages/ollies-credit-card
Walmart and Soda Health Increase Personalization Through Nutrition Program for Medicare and Medicaid
Walmart has partnered with health technology company Soda Health to launch the Walmart Everyday Health Signals™ program. The program is geared toward select Medicare Advantage and Medicaid members and uses shopping data to deliver tailored wellness guidance. By analyzing purchasing habits on Walmart.com, the program provides participating flex card members with personalized insights, nutritional recommendations, and shopping tools that promote healthier choices and align with individual wellness goals.
Walmart Group Director of Consumer Health and Data Solutions, Pravene Nath, MD, said, “At Walmart, we’re focused on making it easier for individuals and families to access the everyday foods that support their health and well-being. Through our work with Soda Health, we’re helping members and other plan participants access personalized insights and groceries that align with their wellness goals. Together, we’re creating affordable, scalable solutions that address both individual health and broader community needs.”
The program leverages real-time retail data to support informed food and lifestyle decisions. Enrolled members can set wellness objectives and receive customized suggestions such as nutritious recipes and smarter grocery lists based on their actual shopping behavior. With Walmart’s vast geographic footprint, reaching 90% of Americans within 10 miles, the program combines accessibility with innovation to make healthy living more attainable.
Read more here: https://sodahealth.com/walmart-and-soda-health-join-forces-to-deliver-ai-powered-personalized-nutrition-and-wellness-insights/
Loblaws Expands PC Optimum Rewards Program Through DoorDash Partnership
The Canadian grocery store chain, Loblaws, is strengthening its collaboration with DoorDash by enabling PC Optimum loyalty members to collect points on DoorDash purchases, whether from Loblaws-affiliated stores or other merchants and restaurants. The integration marks a strategic effort to increase the reach and appeal of Loblaws’ rewards program beyond traditional grocery shopping. Members will now earn five points for every dollar spent on eligible orders. However, for the first three months of the program, users can earn double 10 points per dollar as a promotional incentive. New DoorDash users will also receive a 25,000-point bonus after completing three qualifying orders, while existing users can receive 5,000 points by linking their accounts.
Loblaws Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer, Lauren Steinberg, said, “By partnering with DoorDash, we’re extending the value of our program beyond our stores and into even more moments of everyday life. Whether it’s groceries, everyday essentials, pharmacy, or now your favorite restaurant meals, we’re making it easier to earn rewards wherever and however you choose to eat.”
The points can be earned on orders placed through DoorDash from a range of Loblaws banners, including No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Shoppers Drug Mart, Maxi, Real Atlantic Superstore, and PC Express Rapid Delivery. The expanded partnership builds on previous collaboration between the two companies that began in June 2023. Loblaws continues to grow aggressively, announcing plans to invest $2 billion in its supply chain and stores, and to open 80 new locations in 2025, with over half as low-cost “hard discount” outlets.
Read more here: https://www.loblaw.ca/en/doordash-and-pc-optimum-reward-canadians-with-new-loyalty-integration/
Original Article Links:
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet’s ‘army’ of fans is taking its first-ever credit card everywhere
Walmart and Soda Health Join Forces to Deliver AI-Powered Personalized Nutrition and Wellness Insights
Loblaws Integrates Loyalty Program with DoorDash, Expands Point-Earning Opportunities