The best retail loyalty programs in 2026 share a defining trait: They have moved beyond points-per-dollar mechanics. Forrester found that the programs getting the most attention use gamification, experiential rewards, and member-only access.
That shift matters because enrollment alone is losing its grip. BCG found that the share of consumers who say they never consider switching brands dropped 20% between 2022 and 2024. Membership keeps climbing, but the....