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Every visit to your store is the start of someone’s next adventure. Whether it’s a weekend hike, a fishing trip that’s been months in the making, or a kid’s first camping memory, your customers are gearing up for something meaningful.
So, how do you turn that connection into long-term revenue? Start with a loyalty program!
On average, consumers who sign up for rewards programs spend 12-18% more per year than other shoppers. In outdoor retail, that growth comes from return visits, brand familiarity, and earned trust. Loyalty programs encourage customers to return whenever they need something for the trail, the water, or the campsite.
Explore 10 retail customer loyalty program ideas for outdoor stores, plus ways to use your point of sale (POS) system to turn good ideas into action, from tracking points to rewarding loyalty in real time.
1. Reward Every Purchase With Gear They’ll Use
Points-based loyalty programs still deliver, especially when the rewards match your customers’ lifestyles. Offer points on every purchase and let shoppers redeem them for practical perks like outdoor gear, energy snacks, branded apparel, or local experience vouchers.
If you use a loyalty program baked into your POS software, you can sign up customers at checkout, track their purchase history, automatically rack up points with each purchase, and show balances on receipts.
2. Match Loyalty Perks to the Season
Your customers’ buying habits change throughout the year, so design your loyalty program to match seasonal patterns. Run targeted campaigns like “Spring Trail Prep: Double Points on Backpacks and Boots” or “Winter Ready: Get a $20 credit when you spend $100 on cold-weather gear.”
POS sales data can help you identify high-volume items by season. Configure your system to trigger discounts or offers based on product category and time of year, and build custom email or SMS blasts to promote the offer. Consider time-limited promotions that expire automatically at season’s end.
3. Give Referrers and Newbies a Reason To Come Back
Few things build customer engagement like a personal recommendation. In fact, 92% of customers value word-of-mouth over any other form of marketing.
Capitalize on this trust by offering a rewards program that gives the referrer and the new customer something to look forward to, like $10 off their next order or a free camp mug.
Track referrals in your POS software using promo codes or referral links tied to customer profiles. You can generate unique codes for each customer and automatically apply rewards once both parties complete a purchase. Make sure to promote these programs in post-purchase emails and at checkout.
4. Turn Loyalty Into In-Store Experiences
Want more face time with your customers? Invite them to exclusive workshops, like “Intro to Backcountry Cooking” or “First Aid Basics for Hikers.”
Filter your POS-based customer database to find loyalty members by interest, like cyclists vs. paddlers, and send targeted invitations. Segment customers by purchase history, tag them by category, and trigger invites via email or text. On event day, scan member IDs from your POS-linked loyalty app to check attendees in and track participation.
5. Offer Store Credit for Used Gear
Sustainability matters in the outdoor space, and customers are willing to pay for it. On average, shoppers spend 9.7% more on sustainable products. Why not create a retail customer loyalty program that offers credit for used items? Customers trade in gently used gear, and you give them store credit toward future purchases.
Set up your POS system to process these exchanges as returns, apply a custom credit amount to the customer's account, and flag the item for resale, donation, or recycling. Share trade-in stats on social media to show how much gear your store has diverted from landfills — this adds value to your sustainability messaging.
6. Celebrate the Journey With Mileage-Based Rewards
Purchases aren’t the only actions worth recognizing. Reward your customers for being active outdoors. Set challenges like “Log 50 trail miles in a month and earn a $15 reward.”
Use your website to let customers submit logs (even honor-system counts work) and have your POS system assign rewards after staff approval. If your software supports custom fields or customer relationship management (CRM) notes, you can track who completes each challenge and auto-apply their rewards for in-store use.
7. Send Surprises on Special Days
Small surprises go a long way in keeping repeat customers engaged. Email a birthday coupon or give a small gift to mark their first purchase anniversary.
Store important dates and trigger automated emails or printed coupons through your POS system. You can also preload birthday rewards into customer profiles so staff can see them at checkout and offer the perk in person.
8. Unlock Early Access for VIP Shoppers
Some gear is worth lining up for — literally. Give your top customers early access to new product launches or seasonal sales.
Use tags or a loyalty tier in your POS software to control who qualifies. Assign access rules by tier and use email segmentation to notify eligible customers. You can also enable access restrictions online, limiting product visibility to qualifying members during early-access windows.
9. Level Up Loyalty With Tiered Rewards
Tiered loyalty programs let customers earn bigger rewards the more they spend at your shop. Create fun level names like Trailhead, Explorer, and Summit, with better rewards as customers advance.
Assign tiers in your POS system based on total spend or visits. Use this data to unlock benefits like free shipping and returns, extended return windows, exclusive product lines, or invites to VIP-only events. Display tier progress in your mobile app and receipts to encourage next-level engagement.
10. Let Customers Turn Points Into Purpose
Loyalty isn’t always about what you get; it can also be about what you (and your customers) can give back. Customers can donate their points to trail cleanups or conservation groups.
Add a point donation option with custom buttons or prompts in your POS system. Customers can convert unused points into donations during checkout. Track totals and share quarterly updates to highlight your store’s community impact.
Build a Retail Customer Loyalty Program That Works
The best retail customer loyalty program builds trust through consistency, meaningful benefits, and the kind of service outdoor customers remember. When done right, loyalty programs reward your best shoppers while growing your customer base through easy-to-see value.
Want to try these ideas at your outdoor shop? Rain POS takes care of the logistics — from tracking points to personalizing rewards — so you can focus on connecting with your customers.
Try our Build and Price tool today to choose your must-have POS features and get a custom quote. With the proper setup, you can launch a successful loyalty program.
