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.

Join Monica Sharma and Juber Shaikh from the Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, one of India’s leading luxury hotel brands. Discover how they’ve built a strong brand, the history of loyalty within the group, and how their loyalty programme is designed to truly reflect the luxury experience—creating a programme with a
Join us for a special live recording of Let's Talk Loyalty and Loyalty TV, captured on stage at the International Loyalty Leaders Summit! In this episode, our wonderful hosts Amanda Cromhout and Carly Neubauer reflect on 10 standout episodes from the past two years, sharing insights, highlights, and lessons learned
MAXOL is Ireland's leading, family-owned forecourt and convenience retailer. It was founded in 1920 by William McMullan and operates over 250 service stations across Ireland, offering fuel, convenience items, and food through its proprietary ROSA coffee and Maxol Deli brands. Maxol introduced a new mobile loyalty app in 2022 that