Led by Gloucester Business Improvement District, Mi Rewards now features a variety of local offers, such as money off products and services, free experiences and discounted gift cards.
A city loyalty programme has relaunched following a major update as part of a mission to drive local and loyal shopping in Gloucester.
The updated Mi Rewards sees local offers take centre stage. Users earn points for shopping local with over 90 Gloucester businesses, which they can spend on exclusive offers from local businesses.
Current offers include a £100 Gloucester Gift Card for £50 for 500 points, 10% off Gloucester themed merchandise at Museum of Gloucester for 35 points and a free 9D VR Roller Coaster ride with a 1 hour VR experience purchase for 100 points at VRXPERIENCE.
National brands where Mi Rewards users can earn points include Wagamama, Waterstones, The Entertainer, Tesco, Primark, River Island, M&S and McDonald’s. Independent businesses where Mi Rewards users can earn points include The Candle Tree, Hetty’s Place, Greek On The Docks, Gloucester Brewery, Chez Rose, Bizarre and Bangkok Canteen
Free to join and available both online and through an app, a key feature of the Mi Rewards program is that it works through users’ regular payment cards, awarding points as the cards are used with registered businesses in the town or city.
Kate Lankester is the owner of Bizarre in Gloucester and is welcoming the updates to Mi Rewards:
“Bizarre is an alternative clothing store selling gifts and also offering body piercing and semi-permanent make up. The good thing about Mi Rewards is that it encourages people to spend in Gloucester and support local.
“I like the idea that people can trade the points they earnt for local shopping for exclusive local offers. There are lots of different offers on there to suit different people, from offers on body piercing with us to money off Gloucester themed merchandise at the museum. Even though we have our own loyalty scheme at Bizarre, it’s fantastic to be a part of Mi Rewards because it’s for the whole city.”
Miju Wools is another business where Mi Rewards users can earn points. Owner Diane Whisson said:
“Miju Wools is a knitting shop with everything you need to knit, crochet and more, plus we offer lessons. Mi Rewards is really easy for my business to be a part of and I do think it encourages customers, both new and existing, to shop locally and loyally. I’ve had customers in before spending a bit more because they are saving up their points. One customer saved up enough points to get a £100 Gloucester Gift Card for £50 for 500 points, which is a fantastic local offer.
“I love telling people about Mi Rewards as I think it’s a great initiative. Lots of my fellow businesses in College Street are part of it too. I think the main thing is for customers to give Mi Rewards a go as it’s free and you can earn points for shopping local. And keep an eye on the local offers so you don’t miss one you might like!”
Emma Weyman is the founder of Busy Creative Bees in Gloucester and said:
“Busy Creative Bees was born off the back of a lockdown hobby, I’d always been into crafting but started creating my own designs, trading at Gloucester Quays Market, then opening my Gloucester shop. Today Busy Creative Bees caters for all ages, from premature babies to adults’ clothes, accessories, gifts and treats, pampering and accessories for dogs too.
“I’m part of Mi Rewards because it’s an extra way of promoting my business and giving something back to my customers. The exclusive local offers are an attractive reward for customers, something I love myself when I’m shopping locally. I think customers are more engaged and interested in supporting small independent businesses now, and Mi Rewards encourages that even further. It’s great for Busy Creative Bees to be a part of a collaborative loyalty programme for the whole of Gloucester.”
Emily Gibbon, Gloucester BID Manager said the updated Mi Rewards continues to be friction free for customers and businesses, with the addition of local offers:
“We’re excited to relaunch Mi Rewards in Gloucester with a focus on exclusive local offers. What makes Mi Rewards stand out above any other loyalty programme is the ease; you simply register the cards you use to pay and that’s it, no remembering loyalty cards or having to ‘do’ anything extra at the till other than pay. For customers, Mi Rewards allows users to earn points for shopping local in Gloucester and supporting our amazing businesses, with points they can exchange for a fantastic range of exclusive local offers. If you haven’t tried Mi Rewards yet, give it a try; it makes local shopping even more rewarding.”
Billed as ‘the frequent shopper loyalty programme’, the Mi Rewards initiative will also allow users to earn badges as they shop, levelling up to ‘Local Hero’ status.
Miconex delivers the Mi Rewards loyalty programme alongside loyalty firm Stampfeet. Colin Munro is the Managing Director of Miconex and said:
“The new and improved Mi Rewards gives users a front row seat to the best offers in Gloucester, plus a chance to support local and save money too. Recent research with Mi Rewards users found that 55% of users were motivated to join the initiative to support local businesses. For 23%, saving money was the motivator. Overall, 98% of users said the idea of accessing exclusive local offers was appealing to them.”
People can sign up for Mi Rewards for free here.
