Customer loyalty isn’t just a nice-to-have anymore — it’s becoming a critical competitive advantage.
Bloomreach sponsored Antavo’s Global Customer Loyalty Report 2026, which reveals compelling data on how loyalty programs are currently delivering real business value. Keep reading for a sneak peek at several top data points and to understand what your company should be doing to generate more loyal customers in 2026.
The Numbers Tell a Powerful Story
Antavo’s research, backed by analysis of over 500 million loyalty member actions, surveys from 3,000 CMOs and loyalty leaders, and responses from 10,000 consumers worldwide, paints a clear picture: loyalty programs work when done right.
Here are some standout findings:
- Nearly 9 in 10 program owners who measure performance report positive ROI. This isn’t just soft metrics — loyalty programs are delivering measurable business returns that justify the investment.
- 83% of loyalty program owners are satisfied with their programs, reflecting the real value these initiatives deliver to businesses.
- Nearly 90% of businesses say loyalty delivers value they can’t get elsewhere. Loyalty programs aren’t just another marketing channel — they’re creating unique strategic advantages that can’t be replicated through other means.
A Closer Look at the Data
Understanding what drives participation in loyalty programs is equally important.
Antavo’s research found that 7 in 10 consumers join loyalty programs primarily to save money. This insight is crucial for marketers building or optimizing loyalty strategies — savings and tangible value remain the most powerful motivators for enrollment and engagement.
Despite these positive outcomes, there’s a significant operational hurdle: 91% of program owners struggle with data analysis. This finding highlights a critical opportunity for marketers.
The data from loyalty programs is there — and it’s valuable — but many organizations lack the tools or expertise to extract actionable insights from it.
This is where the intersection of loyalty programs and modern marketing technology becomes essential.
Loyalty as a Foundation for AI and Personalization
One of the most forward-looking findings in the report explores how running a loyalty program boosts a company’s AI readiness. Loyalty programs generate rich, first-party data about customer preferences, behaviors, and purchase patterns — exactly the kind of high-quality data that powers effective AI and personalization strategies.
When companies invest in AI-powered personalization through advanced marketing automation solutions, loyalty data becomes even more valuable. It provides the behavioral signals and preference data that enable truly personalized experiences across email, web, mobile, and other channels.
What This Means for Your Business
The research makes it clear: Loyalty programs aren’t just about points and rewards anymore. They’re strategic initiatives that:
- Deliver measurable ROI when properly executed and measured
- Create unique competitive advantages through first-party data collection
- Provide the foundation for AI-driven personalization
- Build the lasting customer relationships that drive long-term growth
As we move deeper into 2026, the brands that will win are those that understand loyalty as a data strategy, not just a marketing tactic. With the right infrastructure, analytics capabilities, and personalization tools, marketers can be well-positioned to turn loyalty insights into business growth.
Interested in more data from Antavo’s Global Customer Loyalty Report 2026? Download your copy of the report today to gain the insights you need to transform your customer engagement strategies.
