How To Fix a Struggling C-store Loyalty Program In 2025
- August 22, 2025
If you’ve launched a loyalty program in your c-store and it’s not doing much, you’re not alone. Thousands of retailers roll out rewards thinking they’ll instantly boost customer retention, only to see minimal impact. But the truth is, most loyalty programs fail not because of bad intentions but because they’re built around the wrong expectations.
Recent trends show c-store shoppers move fast. They’re not in your store for long, and they’re not looking to jump through hoops just to save some cash. So, if your loyalty program isn’t easy, relevant, and rewarding right away—they’re already checked out.
So, what now? This blog discusses the top ways to improve your c-store loyalty program and keep your customers coming back for more.
Why Most C-Store Loyalty Programs Don’t Work
Let’s be real. You launched a loyalty program to keep customers coming back, but it’s just not delivering. Maybe sign-ups are low. Maybe no one’s redeeming rewards. Or maybe it’s just… forgotten.
The #1 reason c-store loyalty programs fail? They weren’t built for how convenience store customers actually shop. This is the reason why around two-thirds of established loyalty programs fail to deliver value.
C-store shoppers are in a hurry. They’re grabbing coffee, fuel, or snacks on the go. They’re not stopping to fill out long forms or dig out paper cards. So, unless your loyalty program fits into that fast, frictionless experience, they’re skipping it.
Common Loyalty Program Problems in C-Stores
|
Problem |
What It Looks Like |
Impact on Business |
| Complicated sign-up process | Long forms, slow-loading apps, no clear instructions | Low enrollment |
| Rewards that feel “meh” | Takes too long to earn points, or perks don’t match what customers want | Low engagement |
| Poor mobile experience | App crashes, confusing UI, not mobile-optimized | High abandonment rate |
| No personalized offers | Everyone gets the same coupon regardless of purchase history | Missed sales opportunities |
| Doesn’t work at the pump | Loyalty doesn’t apply to fuel transactions | Loss of potential spend increase |
Know the way your customer thinks. Get the latest Q2 2025 Industry Report by Modisoft to understand how customer behaviors are shifting.
Steps To Successfully Scale Your C-Store In 2025
You don’t need a miracle to scale your c-store; you need a system. The kind Graboost used to build multi-location convenience store operations with confidence.
Whether you’re tired of hitting ceilings or ready to grow beyond just getting by, these next steps will show you how to scale a convenience store in 2025.
Fix it by aligning with how people actually shop
Speed matters: Offer tap-to-join with a phone number or QR code at checkout. Don’t ask for too much upfront.
Rewards must feel achievable: People won’t chase 100 points for a $1 discount. Offer meaningful perks early and often.
Mobile-first is a must: A loyalty app should feel like an extension of their phone—simple, fast, and rewarding.
Personalization isn’t optional anymore: Give coffee deals to coffee buyers. Fuel discounts to commuters—make every offer relevant and timely.
Fuel and in-store loyalty should be connected: Fuel rewards should drive in-store visits and vice versa.
Quick Fix: Struggling to connect fuel purchases to rewards? Many retailers use tools like Modisoft’s Cartzie Loyalty, which helps unify in-store, fuel, and mobile purchases into one seamless program—so customers earn every time they shop, no matter how they shop.
What Features Should a Modern C-Store Loyalty Program Have?
It’s not enough to just offer points anymore. Today’s customers expect more and if your loyalty program doesn’t deliver fast, they’ll delete it or ignore it.Here are the must-have features your c-store loyalty program needs to stay relevant in 2025 and beyond.
1. Mobile-First Convenience
Customers don’t carry punch cards anymore, they carry phones. Your loyalty program should live where your customer lives: on their device. Whether it’s through a branded mobile app or a platform like Cartzie, shoppers should be able to:
Sign up in seconds (no clunky forms)
Track points and rewards in real-time
Redeem deals instantly during checkout
2. Personalized Rewards
Generic discounts won’t cut it. Your customers want offers that match what they actually buy. Use your POS and loyalty data to send:
Targeted promotions (e.g. 10% off energy drinks for repeat buyers)
Frequency-based incentives (like “Buy 2 coffees, get 1 free”)
Birthday or anniversary rewards
3. Seamless Integration with Your POS
A loyalty program that doesn’t talk to your POS is basically a standalone gimmick. When your loyalty tools integrate directly with your checkout system, you can:
Eliminate manual tracking or delayed syncing
Apply rewards automatically at checkout
Update customer balances in real-time
4. Real-Time Promotions and Push Alerts
Modern customers respond to what’s happening now. Your system should let you:
Alert customers when they’re about to earn a reward
Promote limited time offers to nearby users
Send instant push alerts for flash deals
5. Easy Signup at Checkout
Don’t make your cashiers pitch loyalty. Make the signup so quick that it becomes a no-brainer:
Instant receipt link to join
QR code at the register
Text-to-join options
Old vs. Modern Loyalty Program Features
Feature | Old Loyalty Program | Modern Loyalty Experience |
| Signup Process | Manual forms | 1-tap phone enrollment |
| Reward Tracking | Paper punch cards | Real-time mobile app |
| Offer Personalization | Static deals | Data-driven promotions |
| System Integration | Not synced with POS | Fully integrated |
| Communication | Email-only | Push notifications & SMS |
| Engagement | Low | Location-aware targeting |
How to Tell If Your Loyalty Program Is Broken
It’s easy to assume your loyalty program is “doing fine” but if it hasn’t evolved in the last few years, it could be quietly costing you sales, data, and engagement.Here are the red flags every c-store or retail operator should watch out for:
1. Low Sign-Up Rates
If most customers skip your loyalty offer, it’s not because they hate rewards, it’s because your program is either:
Too complicated to join
Not promoted clearly
Offers no real value
2. Inactive Members
You might have 5,000 signups, but how many are actually using the rewards? If your members aren’t engaging, it could be because:
They don’t receive reminders or alerts
Rewards are hard to redeem
Offers feel too generic
3. Lack of Personalization
If your program sends the same deal to every customer, it’s not loyalty, it’s a flyer. Customers expect digital programs to “know them.” Your loyalty program should:
Reward behavior like repeat visits or larger basket sizes
Send targeted offers based on past purchases
Customize campaigns to segments
4. No Omnichannel Connection
If your program only works at the register, you’re limiting customer interaction and losing loyalty opportunities. In 2025, loyalty should work everywhere your customer shops:
Via online ordering or delivery partners
Through self-checkouts
On mobile
In-store
How to Modernize Your Loyalty Program Without Breaking Operations
You don’t need to overhaul everything at once or build a custom app from scratch to bring your loyalty program into
2025. The right tools and a few smart shifts can help you modernize without slowing down your operations or
retraining your staff for weeks. Here’s how to do it the smart way:
1. Use What You Already Have
If you’re already using a modern POS system like Modisoft, you’re halfway there.
Look for integrations that plug directly into your POS, so you don’t have to:
Track redemptions outside the system
Manually enter customer data
Set up separate software
2. Go Mobile-Friendly, Not App-Heavy
Your customers don’t want another app taking up space unless it actually helps them save or order faster. Instead of
forcing an app download, look for mobile-optimized loyalty solutions that allow:
Optional app experiences for power users
QR code signups at checkout
Text or email-based rewards
3. Automate Your Campaigns
Manual loyalty campaigns = time-consuming and hard to scale. Modern platforms let you:
Set triggers (e.g., “send reward after 5th visit”)
Create behavior-based campaigns
Schedule recurring deals
4. Start With Just One Use Case
You don’t have to launch a complex system overnight. Pick one key loyalty goal to start:
Boost morning traffic? “Buy 4 coffees, get the 5th free”
Encourage larger orders? “Spend $20, get $5 off next visit”
Increase app usage? “Exclusive deals only on mobile orders”
5. Measure Results, Then Optimize
Set KPIs early and track them monthly. If a campaign fails, tweak it. If it works, scale it.
Average basket size among loyalty members
Repeat visit frequency
Redemption rate
What Is the ROI of Loyalty Programs
Wondering if loyalty programs actually pay off, or if it’s just additional work? Short answer: Yes—they work. And when set up and measured properly, they work exceptionally. Here’s a breakdown of what the data says, and how you can calculate ROI for your own store.
What the Numbers Show
A 5% increase in customer retention can boost profits by 25% to 95%.
It costs 5× more to acquire a new customer than to retain one.
57% of customers buy more frequently from brands they’re loyal to.
75% of customers will prefer a brand that offers a loyalty program.
Tools That Help You Track This in Real-Time
Modern POS platforms should help you track loyalty performance without spreadsheets. The key feature that you should search in every loyalty program are as follows:
Segment campaigns by time of day, product type, or customer behavior
Compare average order values (members vs. guests)
Identify top-performing offers automatically
View redemption frequency
But Not All Loyalty Programs Perform Equally
Many store owners run the same outdated stamp cards or give flat discounts and wonder why they see little to no change in customer behavior. The issue isn’t loyalty itself, it’s how it’s measured, managed, and personalized. That’s why it’s essential to track the actual impact of your program, including repeat rate, redemption behavior, and revenue per loyal customer. There are now free tools like the Modisoft Loyalty Program Impact Calculator that make this easier by helping retailers quantify whether their efforts are paying off or falling flat.
Why Great Service Alone Isn’t Enough to Build Loyalty
You can have the cleanest store, the fastest checkout lines, and the friendliest staff but even then, customers may not return. It’s a frustrating truth many retailers face: good service gets people in the door, but it doesn’t always keep them coming back. And without a strategy to build habits and reward loyalty, even satisfied customers will drift away to competitors, promotions, or convenience. That’s where smarter loyalty tools make all the difference. Instead of hoping customers remember to return, businesses are now giving them a reason to—through branded loyalty apps and digital rewards that meet them where they are: on their phones. With tools like Cartzie and Modisoft’s custom loyalty app, retailers have been able to create personalized loyalty experiences that actually increase retention.
How Modisoft Is Helping Businesses With Loyalty
C-store owners recognize the value of repeat customers, but many struggle with building lasting loyalty. That’s where Modisoft makes a real difference. We’re helping convenience stores take the first step by introducing loyalty tools that are easy to launch, manage, and scale. With our Cartzie platform, businesses can create branded loyalty apps, launch digital rewards, and offer personalized promotions all without the hassle. Let’s take two examples: Time Mart, a growing Texas-based chain, had steady foot traffic but wanted to boost retention. Using Cartzie, they rolled out a loyalty program with scan-based check-ins and targeted offers, making it easier to reward repeat customers and drive consistent engagement. Orange Market, another Texas retailer with multiple locations, wanted a solution that worked across all stores. With Modisoft’s loyalty tools and Cartzie, they delivered a seamless, digital-first experience that made it easier to reward regulars and track results—without adding operational burden. Both retailers offered excellent service before. But with the right loyalty tools, they were able to do something more: give customers a reason to keep coming back and a way to feel recognized for it.
Ready to Fix Your Loyalty Program?
Don’t let a broken loyalty program hold your c-store back. Start small, focus on what your customers truly want, and use the right tools to make loyalty simple and rewarding. Still looks complicated? Join Modisoft—trusted by retailers like you—to enjoy a hassle-free loyalty program solution.
FAQs
1. What makes a successful c‑store loyalty program?
A successful c-store loyalty program is easy to join, mobile-first, and tied to your POS system. It offers personalized rewards, uses real-time data, and aligns fuel and in-store purchases all while delivering consistent value at every visit.
2. How can I fix my loyalty program if customers aren’t joining?
Here’s how to troubleshoot low sign‑ups:
Simplify enrollment (QR code or phone number only)
Highlight immediate value (e.g. “Free drink on your next visit”)
Train staff to mention the program at checkout
These steps reduce friction and improve visibility.
3. What reward formats work best in convenience store loyalty?
Effective loyalty programs often use:
Points-based incentives (e.g. points per dollar spent)
Punch‑card style freebies (e.g. “Buy 5, get 1 free”)
Tiered VIP options (e.g. Gold/Silver rewards for frequent shoppers)
Combine these formats to encourage both habits and higher spending.
4. How do I know if my loyalty program is broken?
Check these red flags to know if your loyalty program is broken or not:
Low enrollment despite marketing
Few or no redemptions
Generic offers sent to all members
Disconnected fuel and in-store systems
No real-time tracking or analytics
If any apply, it’s time for a reset.
5. Can loyalty programs boost fuel sales at c‑stores?
Yes. When rewards are unified across fuel and in-store purchases, customers are more likely to buy both. Offering gas discounts tied to store spending helps bring them inside and increases average transaction size.
6. What’s the ROI of a convenience store loyalty program?
Typically, a 5% increase in customer retention can drive 25–95% higher profits. Since acquiring a new customer costs 5× more than retaining one, well-built loyalty programs with measurable repeat visits and basket size lift deliver strong ROI.
