Creating a buzz about customer loyalty

Dubai - Bebuzzd is a loyalty programme marketplace for users and customer engagement platform for businesses

How many times have you noticed that your loyalty card has expired just when you are about to pay at the cash counter? Then the feeling sinks in that you could have used the points to get a discount on the price. With a UAE-based app, you can now stop carrying around multiple loyalty cards and have it all linked on one common platform.
Bebuzzd is a one-stop loyalty programme marketplace for users and a customer engagement and acquisition platform for businesses. The app, which operates on both iOS and Android platforms, lets you earn and redeem points while shopping at your favourite outlets.
Founded in 2011 with the aim of providing a cost-effective loyalty programme on a single platform, Bebuzzd had a seed funding of $3 million and plans to raise $10 million this year.
Mujeeb Rahman, chief operating officer, Bebuzzd, said: "In 2015, the Bebuzzd app was launched to seamlessly connect customers and consolidate loyalty programmes using advanced technology. We continue to evolve several solutions to connect merchants with their customers such as Bebuzzd Pay, Bebuzzd Go and Bebuzzd Pro."
How does Bebuzzd work from a B2B and B2C perspective? For customers, Bebuzzd is a one-stop-shop of loyalty programmes. Instead of subscribing to many loyalty programmes, customers can collect and redeem their points across local convenience stores, fine dining restaurants, supermarkets, spas and movie theatres on a single platform. Merchants benefit by seamlessly connecting with their customers and customising engagement according to customer preference. Bebuzzd allows small merchants and retailers to provide their own unique value to customers and also engage and retain existing customers.
Currently, the startup is working with a range of industries, including dining, health, beauty, wellness, service, entertainment and retail. "We also manage staff reward programmes and in coming years, we plan to expand to other sectors such as education and government services," added Rahman. "In 2017, the firm grew from 33,000 subscribers to over 113,000 subscribers of the app. Our growth in 2018 is accelerating and far outpaces last year."
To date, the firm has signed on 800-plus outlets and boasts 270,000-plus customers. The Bebuzzd loyalty programme helps retailers to increase customer visits, recognise loyal clients, bring back first-timers and identify lost customers.
The Bebuzzd ecosystem consists of a manager level app, a store app and a customer app. Customers receives offers and rewards from merchants who have joined the Bebuzzd programme. The advanced technology used by Bebuzzd enables clients to customise their offerings on the basis of customer preferences.
Bebuzzd now plans to expand its operations within the region and consolidate its network of industry partners. "Customer retention and engagement is a challenge, regardless the size of business. Bebuzzd provides a simple solution to engagement-related woes of the merchant. Powered with advanced technology, an agile and user-friendly platform, Bebuzzd is easily one of the must-have tools any merchant will grow to value. The app is data-driven and consumer-centric and manages to create unique value for customers, store staff and decision-makers," said Abdul Nazeer, managing partner, Bebuzzd.
The company recently entered into a partnership with Sharaf Exchange's new customer loyalty programme 'Usrati'. As part of this partnership, Bebuzzd will power Usrati's deals section, which allows clients to earn and redeem points for numerous rewards across the UAE for transactions with Sharaf Exchange.
This partnership between Sharaf Exchange and Bebuzzd makes Usrati a comprehensive benefits programme. Bebuzzd technology assists Sharaf Exchange in building customer relationships and retaining loyal customers. For every regular customer transaction, Sharaf Exchange customers can earn Sharaf Points within the Bebuzzd app. These points can be redeemed to get rewarded with choices from over 400 selected Bebuzzd partner deals.
"Within the last year and half of working with Bebuzzd, I am convinced that the app is the right way forward for management of customer loyalty programmes and using data to connect, interact and engage with customers. Within a single platform, Bebuzzd makes it so much easier and is cost-effective for merchants to manage their interactions and grow their customer base," says Sandeep Nair, director of business development and strategic partnerships, Bebuzzd.
- sandhya@khaleejtimes.com