4 ways US brands are driving 9% higher loyalty in 2025
US brands are boosting loyalty by 9% in 2025 by acting on verified intent signals. Personalized offers, gamified experiences, values-driven rewards, and real-time insights turn early consumer signals into deeper, lasting connections.
Loyalty has emerged as one of the most reliable growth levers for US brands navigating a cautious economy. With prices rising and consumers switching faster than ever, many loyalty programs built on points and discounts are losing influence and have made emotional loyalty harder to earn, it even fell 5% in 2025.
Yet a different group of brands is gaining ground because they’ve changed how they listen. They leverage AI to interpret intent signals, early indicators of what people are about to do, not just what they’ve already done.
Brands using verified behavioral intent data at scale report loyalty gains of up to 9%. This advantage comes from anticipation, not reaction.
Why loyalty matters more than ever
Retention is still one of the most cost-efficient growth strategies. Loyal customers buy more, stay longer, and stabilize revenue in a volatile market.
In 2025, loyalty goes beyond price. It reflects identity, values, trust, and well-being. Even as consumers cut non-essential spending, they stay committed to brands that resonate with their lifestyle or deliver memorable experiences.
These data rarely show up in purchase history. They are revealed through intent: the pages customers browse, products they compare, content they engage with, and journeys they repeat. Capturing these data point is now key to anticipating behavior and strengthening relationships
From past behavior to predictive insight
Most companies still rely on traditional data tied to past transactions. Behavioral Intent data offer a forward-looking view, revealing what customers are leaning toward or evaluating.
| Traditional Data: What They Did | Intent Signals: What They Plan to Do |
|---|---|
| Bought a jacket 6 months ago | Viewed the new sweater line four times this week |
| Opened a marketing email | Clicked sustainability content repeatedly |
| Holds Gold Tier status | Added an item to cart, then checked a competitor’s price |
| Age 35, lives in New York | Used AR try-on for shoes |
This additional context turns a transaction into a relationship, allowing brands to act at the right moment.
Howa US Brands Turn Intent Into Loyalty
Hyper-relevant, real-time personalization: Static segmentation is becoming less effective. When a customer abandons a cart, compares competitors, and returns to browse premium items, predictive personalization delivers early access to a curated offer instead of a generic discount. This timely approach can notably boost retention.
Experiential and gamified rewards :Experience-driven rewards deepen emotional connection. A frequent app user may receive a challenge, collectible, or VIP event invite instead of a flat discount. These interactions build memory and emotional loyalty, increasing lifetime value.
Values-first loyalty: One-third of Gen Z loyalty is influenced by ethics and sustainability. Customers researching ingredient lists or eco-claims respond strongly when brands offer cause-based rewards or early access to eco-certified lines, boosting retention.
Continuous insight and response with verified data : AI tools such as Lumora provides behavioral and attitudinal signals directly from consumers, refreshed weekly. Brands can spot early churn, and track emerging preferences. By combining these insights in one system, brands respond in real time rather than react to lagging data.
Looking ahead: loyalty in 2026
Loyalty is evolving into an intelligence system powered by AI rather than a traditional program. Brands that leverage predictive intent with AI will personalize faster, respond sooner, and deepen relationships even amid economic uncertainty. Those still relying on points and discounts risk continued erosion of loyalty.
Intent, combined with AI, is no longer a nice-to-have metric, it’s the compass guiding retention and growth. Brands ready to harness it will lead, while those that don’t risk falling behind
Lumora, our AI tool, helps you uncover what your customers are considering long before it appears in sales data, enabling proactive, data-driven loyalty strategies that strengthen retention and drive growth.
