Customer loyalty cards have become a staple of nearly every thrifty shopper these days. The initial intent of these cards for stores was to gather information for sales and marketing. Recent difficulties, such as the peanut butter recall that resulted in 550 illnesses and 8 deaths, have made stores re-think how they can use consumer purchasing info.
The Columbus Dispatch reports that Cincinnati-based Kroger is going to start tying in customer purchase histories, loyalty cards, and receipts to alert customers when a product they have purchased is recalled. Costco is going a step further and placing phone calls to buyers of recalled products.
It is likely that many other chains will follow suit. Some are currently using signs, but a more direct approach could alert consumers faster and prevent deaths and illnesses in another situation like we recently experienced.
Posted under News
Written by Matt on February 9, 2009
