According to Retail Technology Innovation Hub, new research has identified Tesco Clubcard, Leon Club and Pret Perks as the UK’s top-performing retail loyalty programmes.
The findings come from the Retail Loyalty Index (RLI), developed by HyperFinity in partnership with Bloomreach and Eagle Eye, based on a survey of more than 2,200 UK consumers across 51 major retailers.
Key Findings
• Tesco Clubcard ranked as the UK’s leading loyalty programme
• Leon Club placed second, with strong scores in personalisation and customer value
• Pret Perks was also among the top-performing schemes
• A one-point increase in loyalty score is associated with a 7–8% higher likelihood of repeat purchases
The study evaluated programmes across multiple sectors, including grocery, quick service restaurants (QSR), fashion, and health and beauty.
Core Drivers of Loyalty
The report identified three key drivers accounting for over half of customer loyalty influence:
Better value (18.8%) – clear financial benefit
Feeling valued (18.5%) – customer recognition
Appealing rewards (16.1%) – relevant incentives
Customers were also asked to assess satisfaction, likelihood to recommend, and how loyalty programmes influence their choice of retailer.
Retailer Performance Highlights
Tesco Clubcard received the highest scores for continued usage, with a “continue to shop” rating of 9.16 out of 10. Respondents highlighted its flexibility and perceived value, particularly in making shopping more affordable.
Leon Restaurants Leon Club performed strongly in personalisation and customer recognition, scoring highly for both satisfaction and recommendation.
Pret A Manger Pret Perks also ranked among the top programmes, reflecting continued demand for subscription-style and frequency-based loyalty models.
Other programmes in the top ten included Sainsbury’s Nectar, Itsu Rewards, Wickes Trade Pro, Gregg Rewards, JD Status, Sweaty Betty Insiders, and Hamleys Rewards Points.
Industry Commentary
Peter Denby, CEO at HyperFinity, said the success of leading programmes is largely driven by simplicity and usability.
“They stand out as experiences built around emotional connection, relevance and trust, rather than complex mechanics or heavy discounting.”
Huh Kimber, SVP and General Manager EMEA & APAC at Bloomreach, added that personalisation is now central to effective loyalty strategies.
“Shoppers want to feel recognised whether they’re in-store, online, or on an app.”
Tim Mason, CEO at Eagle Eye, noted that loyalty performance is increasingly linked to the ability to deliver real-time, personalised offers.
Context: Loyalty as a Growing Retail Priority
The findings highlight a broader shift in how retailers approach loyalty programmes, with increasing emphasis on personalisation, ease of use, and measurable customer engagement.
For many retailers, loyalty programmes are becoming more closely tied to core retail systems, including point-of-sale (POS), pricing, and customer data platforms, enabling more targeted and consistent customer experiences.
What It Means for Retailers
The research suggests that retailers that fail to invest in loyalty infrastructure risk missing significant revenue opportunities.
As competition intensifies across grocery, QSR, and apparel sectors, loyalty programmes are increasingly being used not only to drive repeat purchases, but also to strengthen long-term customer relationships.