Customer Loyalty Goes Mobile

SAN FRANCISCO — They say that it is easier to keep a current customer than it is to acquire a new one, making the use of loyalty programs a wise move for those seeking a recurring customer base.

This is an increasingly difficult proposition given the wide range of options presented to consumers today, however, requiring a degree of innovative thinking to maximize results. For example, market-leading adult novelty retailer Good Vibrations (www.goodvibes.com) recently announced the release of its loyalty rewards application for the Apple iPhone and other iOS devices.

According to the company, Good Vibrations’ shoppers have long enjoyed loyalty rewards cards, which offer discounts for regular shoppers.

“Now they can leave the paper card behind and enjoy a greener digital future by installing it directly on their iPhone,” states a company spokesperson, explaining that, “With a quick visit to the Apple App Store, they can download the Good Vibrations app and receive instant rewards for every dollar spent in any Good Vibrations retail store.”

Based in San Francisco, Good Vibrations also has locations in Berkeley and Oakland, Calif., as well as in Brookline, Mass., with six retail shops at which shoppers can enjoy their loyalty rewards.

Last year the company launched a mobile website enabling smart phone, iPad and e-reader users to easily shop for the company’s products. The new app is its latest offering to target its mobile customers.

“After 35 years of providing a safe and welcoming environment for adults to find sex toys, books, movies, and education, Good Vibrations is thrilled to bring pleasure to the people and reward customers with our very first app,” company COO Jackie Strano stated. “2012 will also see some fun surprises in the world of digital content from Good Vibrations, so stay tuned!”

With such a forward-looking, customer-centric approach to adult marketing, “fun surprises” is just what we should expect from Good Vibrations. The larger point is that in a mobile Internet world, consumers still enjoy shopping in the real world — operators that can successfully bridge the gap between the two will profit into the future.