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Loblaw pilots more personalized advertising

Loyalty members see relevant ads while browsing online or using social media

Russell Redman

April 8, 2019

2 Min Read
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Loblaw Cos. is testing a new service that leverages its PC Optimum loyalty program to personalize advertising for customers and reward them for seeing those ads while browsing online.

Currently with more than 18 million members, PC Optimum has provided product offers and ads to shoppers via Loblaw online channels and email based on their previous purchases in the retailer’s store network. Now, Loblaw said, this approach will be used to deliver more relevant ads from trusted consumer-brand advertisers as members browse the Internet or use social media — that is, in places where they already see ads.

Plans call for Loblaw to pilot the new service with a group of selected members, providing them with an easy way to earn additional points, the Brampton, Ontario-based food and drug retailer said. PC Optimum provides more than $1 billion in rewards annually.

"Loyalty programs have historically provided benefits to customers, rewarding them for the information they provide to a company. We're extending that same idea to advertising," according to Uwe Stueckmann, senior vice president of marketing at Loblaw. “Our members will see more relevant ads while browsing online, and we will reward them for allowing us to use their data and advertise to them."  

Related:Loblaw sees retail sales edge up in fourth quarter

Loblaw noted that the service will be transparent, and customers will have control over how their personal information is used. The company said shoppers will be informed of the plan to serve them online ads on behalf of a trusted advertiser, and the ads will feature an identifying mark or logo associated with PC Optimum. PC Optimum members will receive points when they are included in these ad campaigns, and they can opt out of receiving this advertising at any time.

Today, Canadians surfing the web routinely see thousands of ads, many of which are directed to them based on their online information and activities — a process that’s mostly invisible, Loblaw pointed out.

"This isn't about seeing more ads. By informing, signaling and rewarding customers we are giving them a choice. They can start getting relevant ads with actual rewards, or they can opt out and just get the ads they already see online today," Stueckmann explained. "This is an exciting trial that could very well change the landscape in favor of customers. Imagine if every Canadian was rewarded for every ad they saw online."

Loblaw added that it will conduct and measure the ad campaigns without selling or providing customers’ personal data to advertisers.  

Overall, Loblaw’s retail network includes 550 corporate-owned supermarkets under multiple banners, 1,337 associate-owned Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix drug stores and 535 franchised grocery stores.

Related:Loblaw opens exclusive benefits to all loyalty members

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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