With community at the heart of convenience retail, find out how cash rewards app *shopt’s new ‘Refer a Friend’ scheme aims to enable local retailers to cement connections and foster reward opportunities.
Convenience retail is an industry driven by collaboration and connection. Retailers are able to grow stronger businesses by sharing experiences, tackling challenges together and by leveraging tools that simplify their operations.
In today’s challenging market, where trading requires resilience and innovation, *shopt stands out as a strong support for retailers. As the leading cash rewards app for independent stores, *shopt has embraced this collaborative spirit, and aims to provide a network where retailers and brands can support each other to help drive growth.
The inaugural ‘Love *shopt’ event, held in Birmingham’s Sky Garden in October, was a brilliant example of how connections between retailers can foster opportunities. This event provided the perfect backdrop for retailers to learn more about the benefits of *shopt’s new Refer a Friend scheme.
The scheme now gives retailers the opportunity to earn extra income by inviting friends and colleagues to join the platform, with the chance to unlock up to £1,000 in referral rewards. This initiative allows retailers to strengthen their industry connections with other retailers and provides them an opportunity to boost their earnings.
Avtar Sidhu from St John’s Budgens, comments: “It was great to speak with *shopt and see the evolution of the app and how we can all help improve it. It is also great news about being able to reward ourselves as well as our colleagues in the industry. I think that’s a great step forward and everyone’s a winner.”
The *shopt Refer a Friend scheme launched in October, offering users the chance to earn cash bonuses and exclusive rewards by sharing the platform with fellow retailers.
Users are also able to maximise their earnings through the *shopt app by adding staff members to their accounts. This feature enables participation and collaboration among staff, so retailers are still able to accumulate rewards as a result.
Natalie Lightfoot of Londis Solo Convenience Store Bailleston emphasises how valuable *shopt has been in day-to-day operations: “*shopt is so useful to us as retailers, and it’s easy to use. Brands really want to work with us, which is a positive thing – every penny counts! One of the best features for me has been adding new staff members to the account because even when I’m not in-store, I’m still able to earn rewards and improve my range. I have earned over £350 through *shopt’s rewards.”
Top tips for making the most of your *shopt rewards:
● If you’ve added staff members to the app, introduce a friendly rivalry on who can earn the most and share a voucher with the winner every three months;
● Use a portion of the annual rewards earnings to fund a Christmas lunch or get together for staff as a way to incentivise the team;
● Cash out your rewards and use it to invest in a new product or range you might not have tried;
● Use the earnings as a charity donation – ask staff to vote on a local cause they would like to give it to.
*shopt also provides retailers with the opportunity to connect with leading brands, offering them exclusive deals and promotional benefits. The recent Love *shopt event provided a great platform for retailers and brands to share insights, spark ideas and deepen relationships and highlighted how peer collaboration and tools like *shopt empower retailers to adapt to changes while building a stronger sense of community within the industry.
Neil Godhania of Premier Peterborough explains: “*shopt has connected us with brands so we can hear about upcoming innovation for 2025. It has been really insightful and I am really looking forward to some of the products that are coming out. Hopefully they go on *shopt to allow us to claim some more rewards.”
Retailers have been given the chance to engage directly with brand representatives, exploring new products, discussing partnership opportunities, and exchanging insights. Smaller breakout groups at the event fostered deeper conversations, providing a platform to address unique challenges and share ideas.
The *shopt app provides multiple ways for retailers to earn rewards, including stocking products, completing surveys, taking stock photos, and participating in competitions. Additionally, the recent launch of its new loyalty scheme, ‘*shopt stars’, gives retailers an opportunity to maximise their earning potential, entering those who have two or more approved claims each week into the loyalty scheme prize draw.
Alexa Hester, head of marketing and engagement at *shopt emphasises the businesses commitment to supporting retailers: “At *shopt it’s really important for us to work closely with retailers and ensure that the app delivers for their needs today and in the future. With more than 50% of independent and convenience retailers engaging in *shopt in the last 12 months [shopt], there has never been a better time for brands and retailers to connect through the app to help support their growth.”
Download the *shopt app today at https://www.shopt.digital/en-gb/#download, and start unlocking rewards for you and your peers.
