If your store wastes a shopper’s time once, they’ll forgive it. If it happens twice, they’ll think twice about returning.
As a retailer, you know very well that there’s no shortage of convenience. Besides, your customers always have the option to shop online.
So, loyalty is no longer about proximity—it’s about trust. And that trust is often dependent on how quick and convenient your store’s checkout process is.
Physical retail stores like yours often lose out because they still treat checkout as a transaction, not a moment of influence.
But technologies like mobile self-checkout can help retailers like you shift that dynamic. Solutions like Scan ‘N’ Thru speed up the entire shopping journey, reduce frustration, and give customers exactly what they want: speed, control, and a reason to come back.
In this blog, you will learn how Scan ‘N’ Thru helps retailers like you go beyond quick wins and build customer experiences that turn one-time shoppers into repeat buyers.
How loyalty has changed in retail, and what retailers should know
What made customers stick to a brand has evolved. And if you're still relying on outdated loyalty playbooks and tactics, you're probably not going to see the results you want.
Retailers like you must understand a few things about loyalty:
Loyalty is no longer transactional. It’s experience-led
There was a time when loyalty meant offering a card, a coupon, a few points, or signing up for a membership. But that’s no longer enough. Why?
It’s because nowadays shoppers want speed, control, and a sense of recognition.
They're more likely to stick with brands that reduce friction and increase relevance. Plus, you can’t ignore emotional loyalty as well. How a customer feels about your store is crucial. Emotional loyalty often outweighs the transactional kind.
When you offer a frictionless shopping experience in your store that respects your customers’ time and preferences, you’re not just making sales easier. You’re also creating emotional connections that drive long-term loyalty.
Mobile technology has reset customer expectations
Smartphones have conditioned people to expect seamless and responsive experiences everywhere. Whether it’s ordering food, booking a ride, or managing a bank account, everything happens on an app. Convenience is now the baseline.
These expectations follow when they step into your store. So, if your in-store shopping experience doesn’t align with the ease and convenience they find online, they will notice. And it may become the factor whether they will choose (or not choose) to shop at your store again.
Retailers that adapt to this new reality don’t just meet expectations. They build trust and relevance that keep customers coming back.
Why customer loyalty matters: A statistical outlook
While loyalty may feel intangible, the impact on your bottom line is very real.
From increased lifetime value to lower acquisition costs, loyal customers make your business more predictable and more profitable.
Let’s look at the data behind why loyalty should be a top priority for every retailer, regardless of size or industry.
As per BIA Advisory Services, 61% of small businesses, more than half of their revenue comes from repeat customers.
That’s not a bonus; it’s a business model. When so much of your income depends on returning shoppers, loyalty stops being a nice-to-have and becomes a non-negotiable strategy.
Studies have shown that you have a significantly higher chance of selling to your existing customers as compared to the new ones.
The odds are simply in your favor when you focus on retention over acquisition.
Yotpo revealed that more than 39% of customers say they’ll spend more with a brand they’re loyal to, even when cheaper alternatives exist.
Loyalty turns price-sensitive shoppers into value-driven customers who stick with you for the long haul. That’s not just brand preference—it’s emotional commitment.
Loyalty programs are among the most common methods used by businesses to retain customers. Let’s see what the data says about loyalty programs:
A recent report from Statista says that 81% of U.S. consumers say they shopped more often with a brand simply because they joined its free loyalty program.
This simply means loyalty doesn’t just keep customers around; it changes their behavior. When your program is frictionless and rewarding, frequency naturally follows.
A Nielsen survey found that 84% of consumers say they’re more likely to stay loyal to brands that offer a loyalty and reward program.
The message is clear: if you’re not offering one, you’re giving shoppers one less reason to return—and your competitors one more advantage.
Stephen Zagor, a Columbia business professor and restaurant industry consultant, also agrees:
“If you’re fighting a business that has a loyalty program, and you don’t, you may lose out.”
Loyalty drives revenue. You just saw the evidence in terms of data and stats.
Loyalty is well within your control. It pays off. And with the right technology, it’s easier than ever to earn it.
How Scan ‘N’ Thru helps in boosting loyalty
The loyalty game in retail has become more competitive. Stakes keep getting higher and higher. Generalized rewards don’t work.
Building loyalty isn’t about adding more perks; it’s about removing friction and creating moments that feel personal and empowering. Here’s how Scan ‘N’ Thru’s mobile-based self-checkout system brings that philosophy to life inside your retail store:
Gives customers control over their shopping experience
Shoppers don’t want to wait in line or feel trapped in someone else’s process. Scan ‘N’ Thru’s mobile self-checkout app gives them autonomy.
They scan products, pay, and leave on their terms. That kind of control becomes part of your brand identity—it’s fast, it’s smooth, and it’s in sync with how people want to shop today.
Built-in loyalty program integration
No extra apps. No lost cards. No remembering logins.
You can seamlessly integrate your loyalty program into the Scan ‘N’ Thru’s app. Hence, your customers can earn and redeem rewards without lifting a finger. It’s loyalty without friction, and customers appreciate that simplicity.
Personalized checkout experience in real time
Mobile self-checkout technology doesn’t just make the checkout process fast and hassle-free. It also recognizes your returning customers.
With this technology, you can show them tailored offers, reminders, or suggestions based on purchase history or preferences.
When shoppers feel seen and valued, loyalty follows naturally.
Reduced stress in busy store environments
Whether someone’s in a rush, shopping with kids, or just trying to avoid crowds, Scan ‘N’ Thru’s mobile self-checkout app makes their trip faster and calmer.
That relief sticks with them because people usually remember such experiences. So customers will have a positive impression of your store.
Customer-centric, modern, and premium tech
Mobile self-checkout systems send a clear message: that your store understands and cares about convenience, efficiency, and tech-forward experiences.
That matters to your shoppers, especially the younger ones and anyone who values their time. It subtly but powerfully improves how people perceive your brand.
Read more - Benefits of Implementing Scan ‘N’ Thru for Retailers
Loyalty-centric features in Scan ‘N’ Thru
Technology should do more than its primary function. It should drive meaningful connections.
The following are Scan ‘N’ Thru’s loyalty-focused features that are designed to engage your customers before, during, and after the checkout process:
Personalized product suggestions based on purchase behavior
The more your customers use Scan ‘N’ Thru, the smarter it gets. The app can ‘learn’ your shoppers' buying habits.
From preferred categories to time-of-day shopping patterns, our mobile self-checkout app uses behavioral insights to offer relevant product suggestions. It’s personalization that feels natural, not invasive, and helps drive repeat purchases.
One-tap access to loyalty points, rewards, and offers
Loyalty shouldn’t be buried under clicks. Scan ‘N’ Thru brings rewards to the forefront that are visible and redeemable right at checkout.
That visibility encourages its continued use and makes the value of loyalty instantly clear.
Saved preferences, payment methods, and receipts
Scan ‘N’ Thru’s app remembers what matters: how customers pay, what offers they like, average shopping time, etc.
This makes every return trip easier and more familiar, which are the two key ingredients in customer retention.
App-based engagement beyond the store visit
Scan ‘N’ Thru isn’t just a self-checkout tool—it’s an engagement platform that helps retailers like you build connections with your customers.
Push notifications, personalized offers, loyalty nudges—these post-visit touchpoints keep your brand top of mind and bring shoppers back more often.
Operational advantages that indirectly strengthen loyalty
Behind every loyal customer is a well-run store. Scan ‘N’ Thru doesn’t just improve the shopper's experience—it makes your operations smoother and smarter.
Fewer errors
Real-time pricing, up-to-date inventory, and applied discounts mean fewer surprises at checkout. When customers trust that what they see is what they’ll pay, confidence grows. Smoother store operations
When checkout congestion goes down, the entire store feels more relaxed. That atmosphere matters. Shoppers remember how your store made them feel—and they return to places that make them feel good.
Reduced cart abandonment
Scan ‘N’ Thru reduces one of retail’s biggest pain points: cart abandonment due to long lines. When checkout is instant, customers complete more purchases, often with higher satisfaction.
Supports staff in delivering personalized service
Mobile self-checkout technology doesn’t replace people. It empowers them. With checkout handled, your staff can focus on personalized service, deeper interactions, and memorable moments that digital alone can’t deliver.
Besides, with fewer staff stuck behind checkout counters, more can be available on the floor to:
- Answer customer questions or solve issues
- Offer suggestions
- Make human connections that reinforce loyalty
Final words
Loyalty isn’t built overnight, and it's expensive for retailers like you as well. But the rewards are priceless.
You now know that loyalty doesn’t come from points alone these days; it comes from how your store makes someone feel.
Scan ‘N’ Thru helps retailers like you create a shopping experience that’s fast, frictionless, and personal—exactly what today’s customers expect.
It strengthens brand perception, simplifies loyalty, and creates emotional connections that last beyond the sale.
In retail, competition is not going to reduce. But those who win loyalty are the ones who make it easy for customers to come back. With mobile self-checkout solutions like Scan ‘N’ Thru, you’re not just making checkout easier—you’re making loyalty inevitable in your store.
