Why 82% of South Africans Can't Get Enough of Loyalty Programs

Loyalty is thriving in South Africa.

A remarkable 82% of South Africans are actively using loyalty programs—up from 76% last year. That means 4 in 5 consumers are engaging regularly with rewards platforms—an almost unheard-of level of long-term marketing engagement.

And the momentum is growing:
📈 35% say they’re using loyalty programs more than they did last year.

💳 The average South African is actively using 10.3 loyalty programs—not just signed up, but truly participating.

👫 Gender usage is now balanced, unlike in markets like the UK or Europe where male participation still lags.

🛒 This shift began during COVID-19 lockdowns, when more men took on household shopping—and the habit stuck.

South Africa’s numbers show truly exceptional engagement.

Loyalty has become part of everyday life—and for brands, that means one thing: keep innovating to stay relevant.

I’m delighted to be today meeting with another Fortune 500 brand as we meet with Bank of America, one the world’s largest banks. According to its latest annual report, Bank of America now serves approximately 69 million consumer and small business clients, and surpassed $100 billion in revenue in 2024,
Today I'm chatting with Don Smith - well known to many of you for his role as the Chief Consulting Officer of Brierley which is now a Capillary Services Company. Don shares his expertise around optimising some of the common KPI’s for loyalty professionals, the importance of the “mental mantle”
This episode is available in audio format on our Let's Talk Loyalty podcast and in video format on www.Loyalty.TV. I’m thrilled to be announcing a new member of the Let's Talk Loyalty family as we continue to grow our network of guest hosts around the world. Today’s announcement is incredibly