Barclaycard starts to name Freedom partners
LA Fitness, YO! Sushi, Firebox.com, Goldsmiths and Nationwide Autocentres are the first partners to be named by Barclaycard is it moves towards its March launch of its Freedom loyalty scheme.
As reported previously by Card World/Loyalty the new Freedom scheme, which uses Welcome Real-Time instant reward software, will offer points, special promotions ad giveaways, funded by individual merchants participating in the scheme.
Managing Director of Barclaycard Freedom Sarah Newman commented: “Barclaycard Freedom incorporates all of the best elements of loyalty schemes with the rewards, quite simply, in pounds and pence.” She also welcomed the new partnerships and acknowledged the fact that the companies already signed up to the scheme represent a range of sectors from the retail industry.
Barclaycard aims to target the 30,000 small and medium sized retailers with the scheme, but it is interesting to see that t he first names announced are major and well known retail brands.
The most eagerly awaited announcement however, is whether a major supermarket retailer has been persuaded to jump on board, to compete with Sainsbury’s Nectar, and Tesco’s Clubcard.
Barclaycard Freedom will be available automatically to over eight million Barclaycard cardholders who will earn and redeem Reward Money at point of sale, without having to do or remember anything.
Alison Vickers, business development director of Yo! Sushi, says: “We have been trialling Barclaycard Freedom in a couple of our stores and have been impressed with how simple and intuitive it is. We are very excited to be involved in a programme which rewards our customers for simply using their Barclaycard to pay their bill. The simplicity and convenience of Barclaycard Freedom appeals to our customers, and we are looking forward to being part of the launch in March.”