How a Simple Rewards App Helped One Local Store Triple Their Visits
Maria’s Café, a small coffee shop in Cagayan de Oro, was struggling to keep customers coming back. Despite great coffee and a cozy atmosphere, repeat visits were stagnant—until they implemented Spree Rewards. Within six months, foot traffic tripled. Here’s how they did it.
The Problem: Low Repeat Visits Despite Quality
Maria’s Café had loyal regulars, but they weren’t enough to sustain growth. Walk-ins often didn’t return, even after positive experiences. The owner, Maria, knew she needed a way to incentivize repeat business without complex systems or high costs.
After researching loyalty programs, she chose Spree Rewards for its simplicity and customization. Unlike generic punch cards, Spree allowed her to:
- Brand the app with her café’s logo and colors
- Set up a digital stamp system (buy 9 coffees, get the 10th free)
- Track customer visits and redemption rates in real time
How the Rewards App Transformed Their Business
Maria launched the program with a simple pitch: “Download our app, earn stamps with every purchase, and get free coffee.” The results were immediate.
1. Increased Customer Retention
Within a month, 60% of first-time customers returned—a jump from the previous 20%. The app’s push notifications reminded users of unused stamps, creating urgency. As Maria noted, “People would stop by just because they were ‘one stamp away’ from a free drink.”
2. Higher Average Spend
Customers didn’t just return—they spent more. The app’s points-per-peso feature encouraged larger orders. For example, buying a pastry with coffee earned extra stamps, boosting sales of add-ons by 35%.
3. Word-of-Mouth Growth
The referral rewards feature let customers earn bonus stamps by inviting friends. This organic growth accounted for 25% of new sign-ups, with zero ad spend. Maria’s Café even linked the program to their gift card system, turning occasional visitors into regulars.
Key Features That Made the Difference
Spree Rewards worked because it solved specific pain points for a small business:
- No Physical Cards: Customers used QR codes from their phones, eliminating lost cards and fraud.
- Staff-Friendly: The checkout process took seconds, with no training needed.
- Data-Driven Adjustments: Maria noticed afternoon lulls and introduced “Happy Hour Double Stamps,” increasing foot traffic by 40% during slow hours.
For other cafes considering a loyalty program, Spree’s points-based system offers flexibility beyond simple punch cards.
Lessons for Other Small Businesses
Maria’s success wasn’t just about the app—it was how she used it:
- Start Simple: A straightforward “10 stamps = free coffee” rule was easy for customers to understand.
- Promote Consistently: Table tents, social media posts, and staff reminders kept the program top of mind.
- Leverage Data: Spree’s dashboard showed which rewards were most redeemed, helping Maria tweak the menu.
Businesses like gyms or salons could apply similar strategies. For example, a reward tracking system turns routine transactions into engagement opportunities.
FAQs
How much does Spree Rewards cost?
Pricing scales with business size, but Maria paid less than a part-time employee’s monthly wage for triple the visits.
Do customers really use the app?
Yes—Maria saw a 75% activation rate among first-time users, higher than industry averages for small businesses.
Can I try it before committing?
Spree offers a demo. Contact their team to see if it fits your business.
Final Thoughts: Small Changes, Big Visits
Maria’s Café proves that a well-executed rewards app isn’t just for chains. With Spree Rewards, a local store can compete on loyalty—and win. As Maria put it, “Our customers feel valued, and our register shows it.”
Ready to turn occasional buyers into regulars? Get started with Spree Rewards today or call their team to discuss customization.