Pre-Paid Retail Programs, Pt. 2

Delivered November 17th, 2021. Contributors: Maureen K., Edgar M., Mayank B., ChristineD, Folarin O., Anna G., Sunali T., Foni U., Ian C. and

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Pre-Paid Retail Programs, 12 - 21

IntroductionNone of the large U.S. retailers in rows 12–21 of the attached spreadsheet offers programs that allow consumers to prepay for products or services in exchange for discounts or other rewards. Instead, most retailers offer gift cards without discounts or rewards for redeeming prepaid funds. Selected findings are below.
Selected Findings  Apple does not offer a prepaid card. It provides a gift card and credit card.
 Royal Ahold Delhaize USA's brands (like Food Lion and FreshDirect) offer gift cards. However, none provide prepaid cards and discounts or rewards for redeeming the prepaid funds. 
 Aldi provides gift cards. However, it does not offer any prepaid cards and discounts for redeeming the prepaid funds.
 Best Buy does not offer any prepaid cards. It provides gift cards for purchase. 
 H.E. Butt Grocery offers gift cards for purchase. However, it does not offer any prepaid cards. 
 TJX Companies offers a gift card for its brands, including TJX Maxx, Marshalls, Home Goods, SIERRA, and HOME SENSE. It does not provide any prepaid cards.
  Dollar Tree does not offer any prepaid cards. It only offers gift cards and re-loadable debit cards for other companies like Green Dot.
Research strategyFor this research, we leveraged the most credible sources of information available in the public domain, including the retailers' websites and third-party financial reports like NerdWallet. We did not find any programs offered by the provided companies that allow consumers to prepay for products or services in exchange for discounts or other rewards.

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Pre-Paid Retail Programs, 22 - 31

IntroductionThe attached spreadsheet has been filled with Information regarding retailers that offer programs that allow consumers to prepay for products/services in exchange for discounts or other rewards. 
Selected FindingsMeijer, Wakefern, Macy's, AT&T Wireless, Rite Aid, Verizon Wireless, BJ's Wholesale Club, Kohl's, and PetSmart do not have prepaid programs that offer discounts/rewards to consumers.
Although Kohl's does not have a prepaid card program, it offers its customers a reward program where they earn points while shopping.
7-eleven allows its customers to load prepaid funds into their 7-eleven wallets. Customers earn points upon redemption of the prepaid funds. For every $1 spent, they earn 5X points. The points can be used to shop at selected locations or exchanged for dollars.
Research StrategyTo determine whether the assigned retailers offer prepaid reward programs, we searched through their official websites, promotional articles, social media platforms, review sites, and other related media articles related to these companies.

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Pre-Paid Retail Programs, 32 - 41

IntroductionThis research provides details about the prepaid card discount or rewards programs of the assigned large US retailers in rows 32-41 of the attached spreadsheet. Other than Dell Technologies, none of the retailers offer any programs that allow consumers to prepay for products/services in exchange for discounts or other rewards. We have provided a brief overview of each retailer's available rewards or loyalty programs in column D of the spreadsheet. Below are a few selected findings from the research, along with our research strategy (in the 'Research Strategy' section) to find the required information.
Selected FindingsAs per Dell Rewards Program for US consumers, all purchases made using prepaid gift cards or other prepaid options are eligible to get up to 3% back in rewards on the order subtotal (excluding taxes and shipping). To avail of the rewards, consumers need to purchase $800 in eligible Dell products in 12 months. Rewards earned before the $800 threshold will be issued but remain in pending status for 12 months or until the $800 threshold is reached. All rewards have a 90-day expiry period from the issuance date. The Rewards Program is also available with the financing option.
Ross Stores only offers gift cards with values ranging from $10 to $150. It does not have any prepaid card discount or rewards program. It also does not offer a store credit card.
Wayfair also does not provide any prepaid card discount or rewards program for its customers. It only offers prepaid gift cards ranging from $20 — $500 or in-store Wayfair credit cards, providing Wayfair rewards and perks on qualifying purchases.
O'Reilly Auto Parts does not have any prepaid-specific discount program. It has an O’Reilly O’Rewards Loyalty Membership Program through which members can earn points every time they shop (using any payment method) in-store or online at OReillyAuto.com. They can earn a $5 reward once they reach 150 points. Additionally, it offers gift cards ranging from $5 up to $500.
Research StrategyFor this research, we have leveraged the most credible sources of information available in the public domain, including the websites, press releases, blogs, filings, social media platforms, management discussions, and advertising brochures of the assigned U.S. retailers. We also looked through media articles from Forbes, WSJ, PR Newswire, Business Insider, Businesswire, Bloomberg, Live Mint, etc., and various rewards site aggregators such as GCB, Gift Rocket, Retail Dive, and Style Democracy, among others. After a comprehensive search through these sources, we found that only Dell Technologies has a program that offers a 3% cashback reward on purchases made using its prepaid gift cards. However, the program is not prepaid card-specific. It is also applicable for purchases made through credit cards or financing. All the other retailers do not offer any prepaid programs, and only provide gift cards, credit card programs, or loyalty rewards programs for members. We have included a brief overview of each retailer's available rewards or loyalty programs in column D of the spreadsheet. Also, we were unable to find any relevant company by the name Health Made Systems in the public domain.

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Pre-Paid Retail Programs, 42 - 51

Introduction
This research brief provided information on whether the given list of large U.S. retailers offer prepaid programs that allow the consumers to prepay for items in return for discounts or other rewards. However, our findings indicated that none of the given retailers offer such kind of program so we provided some helpful insights on their e-gift offers as these also involve prepayments. These findings were reflected in rows 42 to 51 of the shared spreadsheet.

Highlighted Findings L Brands was already dissolved as a company.
 AutoZone allows customers to purchase its gift cards with values ranging from $10 to 200. The gift cards can be used to purchase AutoZone car parts and accessories. 
Customers who buy these gift cards in bulk can also avail themselves of discounts. The card can also be accompanied by a personalized message. However, the company has no specific prepay programs that can be exchanged for discounts or other rewards. Only those who buy the gift cards in bulk can avail of the discounted rates of these cards.
 True Value has a loyal customer rewards system that enables customers to earn points from their purchases. However, the card does not allow prepayments to be done.
The Tractor Supply Company offers branded gift cards that can be purchased from $5 to $2,000. The recipient of the gift card can use it to buy items from the company's online and brick-and-mortar stores. However, the card is not reloadable and there are no corresponding rewards or discounts for purchases made with the card.

Research Strategy
To determine whether the given large U.S. retailers offer programs that allow consumers to prepay for products/services in exchange for discounts or other rewards, we leveraged the most reputable sources of information in the public domain such as company websites, brochures, terms and condition pages, and other related sources. We also looked through various rewards site aggregators such as GCB, Gift Rocket, and other relevant sites. We then found out that the retailers mentioned do not have such prepay programs. We then presented some helpful information on the e-gift cards that they provide as these transactions involve prepayments as well. However, there were no rewards or other perks for the e-gift card recipients.

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Pre-Paid Retail Programs, 52 - 61

IntroductionWe have completed rows 52 to 61 of the attached spreadsheet with details on which large retailers in the United States offer programs that allow consumers to prepay for products/services in exchange for discounts or other rewards.
Key TakeawaysOf the 10 large retailers, only 2 had prepaid programs that allow consumers to prepay for products/services in exchange for discounts or other rewards.
 Williams-Sonoma has a retailer-specific prepaid card, which can be spent in its stores and that of its partners. .
The other 7 retailers have one or all of the following prepaid programs:
    Prepaid programs offered by a brand sold at a retailer.
    Prepaid gift cards.  
    Prepaid banking programs such as a debit, credit or banking card offered by a retailer banking partners.

Selected FindingsGood Neighbor PharmacyExpo Rx Savings Card: By registering their patients for this Good Neighbor Pharmacy's prepay program, healthcare clinics and hospitals can assist their patients in getting a competitive discount on a "wide variety of generic medications" at Good Neighbor Pharmacy stores. Expo Rx Prescription Savings Card grants the patient "complete visibility into tiered formulary copays — $6, $10, $15 (30-day)."
Southeastern Grocers (BI-LO)Southeastern Grocers (BI-LO) grocer's reward loyalty program: Southeastern Grocers (BI-LO) allows its customers to save funds on groceries and gas, from which they earn points and rewards that can be redeemed later. In March 2021, Southeastern Grocers (BI-LO) added the personalized "rewards Boosters" shopping experience as the "latest enhancement to the grocer’s rewards loyalty program." "To participate in "rewards Boosters," customers will activate offers within the apps, complete the offer challenge, and then receive the reward. Each offer will only be available for a limited time and will change based on the challenge."
Research StrategyWe searched through the retailers' websites and social media platforms. We also consulted third party sites that review financial products and other programs offered by retailers. These sites include Business Wire, MyECP, among others.

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Pre-Paid Retail Programs, 62 - 71

Rows 62-71 of the attached spreadsheet have been filled with the requested information.
Selected Findings Ulta, Ikea, and Camping World, and Footlocker don't have prepaid programs, but they offer prepaid gift cards.
While Big Lots, Speedway, Academy Sports, Burlington, AVB Brandsource, and Office Depot don't offer prepaid programs, they have credit card reward programs.
For example, Academy Sports gives $15 off first purchase, 5% off future purchases, and free standard shipping for its branded credit cardholders.
Office Depot used to offer prepaid Visa cards, but they are no longer available.
Research StrategyAccording to our research through company websites, press releases, and news articles in the media, none of the companies listed in rows 62-71 offer prepaid programs. They only provide prepaid gift cards and/or credit card reward programs. 

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Pre-Paid Retail Programs, 72 - 81

IntroductionThe availability of prepaid reward programs offered by US retailers in rows 72 – 81 can be found in the attached spreadsheet.  
FindingsNone of the retailers in the list offers customer rewards for prepayments (that did not involve a banking program). Some of the rewards programs they have are as follows. 
 Discount Tire has a prepaid card where customers can earn 5% cash back on purchases made from 106 participating merchants. However, this is a banking program and is therefore not specific to the retailer. 
 Sephora Visa credit card program offers cashback and other benefits to its customers. 
Customers at Piggly Wiggly can earn loyalty points (pig points) for their purchases. The company does not have a prepaid card program.
 Petco offers rewards and benefits for using the Petco credit card. It does not have a prepaid program.
 Exxon Mobil does not have a prepaid card program. However, customers can get cashback and savings through its ExxonMobil™ Smart Card (credit card). 
 Defense Commissary Agency does not have a prepaid card program. Customers can obtain savings by clipping coupons through the Commissary Rewards Card.
RESEARCH STRATEGY

To verify the availability of prepaid reward programs of these retailers, we searched through their official websites, as well as promotional articles, review sites, any news or company announcements, and other related media articles related to these companies. After a thorough search, it was found that none of the retailers offers prepaid reward programs that did not involve bank debit or credit cards. 

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Pre-Paid Retail Programs, 82 - 91

None of the retailers listed on rows 82-91 of the attached spreadsheet have a program that allows customers to prepay for products/services in exchange for discounts or other rewards.
SummaryDillard's does not have a prepaid card program. Customers can purchase gift cards and make purchases with Dillard's Credit Card to earn rewards.
Smart & Final does not have a prepaid card program. 
Although Save Smart does not have a prepaid card program, the supermarket offers Save Smart Rewards program which allows customers to gather points while shopping.
Weis Markets offers several rewards programs and cards like Weis Rewards, Weis Shoppers Club Card, Gold Card, among others. None of the programs allows customers to prepay for products/services.
Golub operates under Price Chopper, Market 32 and Market Bistro Banner. None of the supermarkets have a program that allows customers to prepay for product/services. They do offer other discount and reward program like gift cards, AdvantEdge Rewards.
DeMoulas Super Markets, Inc., operates under the trade name Market Basket. The supermarket chain does not have a rewards program but offers weekly discount deals.
Research StrategyWe found no company offering prepay programs for customers after searching through company websites, press releases, news articles in the media and third-party review sites like Konji, Coupon Cabin, Shopper. Only prepaid gift cards and/or credit card reward programs are offered by the supermarkets. 

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Pre-Paid Retail Programs, 92 - 101

Details about the assigned US retailers have been provided in rows 92-101 of the attached spreadsheet. It is noteworthy that none of the assigned retailers have a prepaid program that allows consumers to prepay for products or services in exchange for discounts or other rewards. Useful findings have been provided below.
Useful FindingsCasey's General Store has a rewards program and offers gift cards.  
The Guitar Center does not have a prepaid program and accepts "VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Network, Guitar Center Gift Cards and eGift Cards, or the Guitar Center Gear Card, on all orders."
GameStop offers gift cards and has a credit card rewards program.  
American Eagle offers gift cards and has an afterpay program.  
 UNFI has a loyalty and rewards program. 
Grocery Outlet offers gift cards and coupons when a customer signs up for their email list. 
Belk offers gifts cards and has a rewards program.  
Lululemon has a membership program. While the company website states that it accepts prepaid cards, it does not specify whether it offers discounts or rewards when consumers use them. 
Sears has a credit card and layaway program. 
AMPM offers discounts and exclusive deals through its mobile application.  
Research StrategyFor this research on prepaid retail programs, we leveraged the websites of the assigned companies, news, and industry sites, such as Retail Dive, Style Democracy, and PR Newswire. Using these sources, we found that the assigned companies did not have prepaid programs and offered gift cards, credit card programs, and rewards programs. 