Loyalty Is Redefining Retention for Modern DTC Brands

Welcome to a new 4-week series featuring a top Shopify app with insights and strategies to help you maximize Q4, or get you thinking how to market things differently going into 2026. From boosting revenue and acquiring new customers to building lasting brand loyalty.

We sat down with Marton Kosdi-Kovacs, one of the co-founders of Love Loyalty, to talk about why loyalty programs matter more than ever and what strategies brands can use to win Q4.

Acquiring customers is expensive! Especially as rising costs are continuing to climb, and competition as at an all-time high. This is when retention comes into play for ecommerce brands and a lifeline for growth. One way is through Loyalty Programs!

We’re all part of loyalty programs. When it comes to implementing one, thats where brands can get stuck. Small and large brands can implement loyalty programs and be successful.

That’s where Love Loyalty comes in, a fast-rising loyalty platform built to help Shopify brands turn first-time shoppers into lifelong customers.

How Brands Should Approach Loyalty in Q4

With Q4 and Black Friday on the horizon, many DTC marketers are exploring new retention tactics. Launching an effective loyalty program starts with understanding your customers.

“If a brand doesn’t have a loyalty program yet, the first step is to talk to customers about what motivates them. That helps you know whether a simple points system is enough. Or if it's a brand that has a pretty high rate of returning customers, then they can test whether a membership program would be the best fit,” Marton says.

• New brands might start with points and VIP tiers to encourage repeat purchases.

• Established brands with high repeat rates might test a membership program offering exclusive perks or early access.

“After a few weeks, check your analytics and talk to your customers again. You’ll quickly see what’s working,” Marton says. “We also review programs with our clients directly to provide best practices and insights beyond what they see in the data.”

Why Loyalty Matters More Than Ever

Loyalty programs are part of a larger retention strategy that brings customers back to your store, builds a loyal following, and boosts customer lifetime value and repeat purchase rates.

“Brands can’t rely on just Google or Meta anymore, they have to keep experimenting with new channels and creative,” Marton says. “Retaining customers has become the real fuel for growth.”

“People want to feel connected to the brands they buy from. Whether it’s clothing, beauty, or even food, customers want to know more, engage more, and build relationships. Loyalty and membership programs create that connection.”

As ecommerce matures, Love Loyalty’s team is proving that retention doesn’t have to be complex, it just needs to be human.

“We’re learning alongside our merchants,” the founder says. “Every week, we see brands better understand what loyalty really means, not just points or discounts, but relationships that last.”

Key Takeaways for Brands

• Talk to your customers. Learn what motivates them before building a program.

• Start simple. Launch with points or VIP tiers, then evolve into memberships.

• Prioritize support and UX. Loyalty must feel effortless.

• Focus on relationships, not competitors. The best programs are built from listening.

Learn more about Love Loyalty in the Shopify App Store, or connect with them here.

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Stay tuned for next week’s issue on direct-mail, why its coming back and why its helping small and large brands drive conversion and brand retention. 📬️