8 Customer Loyalty Strategies for Shopify Stores to Win BFCM Without Big Discounts

The countdown to BFCM 2025 has already begun. For Shopify merchants, Black Friday and Cyber Monday aren’t just about offering the steepest discounts anymore—it’s about building trust, repeat purchases, and lasting connections with your customers. Shoppers are smarter than ever; they know discounts are temporary, but loyalty lasts longer.

So how do you maximize sales this BFCM without slashing your margins? The answer lies in customer loyalty strategies that keep shoppers coming back even after the big sale weekend. By building a strong customer loyalty program and investing in personalized retention tactics, you can compete with larger brands without engaging in a discount war.

In this guide, we’ll explore eight actionable customer loyalty strategies for Shopify stores to thrive during BFCM and beyond.

TL;DR:

Instead of relying on heavy discounts this BFCM 2025, Shopify stores should focus on customer loyalty. Launch a loyalty and rewards program, offer exclusive perks, combine subscriptions with rewards, personalize incentives, and reward engagement beyond purchases.

Promote your program early, use it to drive referrals, and keep momentum alive after Cyber Monday. This approach builds long-term relationships, repeat sales, and sustainable growth.

Why Customer Loyalty Matters More Than Discounts

Sure, discounts grab attention. But here’s the problem: once the sale ends, many customers disappear. On the other hand, a solid loyalty and rewards program keeps shoppers engaged in the long term.

Loyal customers are:

• 5x more likely to repurchase.
• 4x more likely to refer friends.
• 7x more likely to try new products.

For Shopify merchants, the message is clear—invest in loyalty, not just discounts. Let’s dive into eight strategies you can start using right away.

1. Launch a Shopify Loyalty and Rewards Program

A loyalty and rewards program is one of the best ways to build repeat business during BFCM. Instead of giving a one-time discount, reward customers for actions like:

• Making purchases
• Referring friends
• Writing reviews
• Following your brand on social media

For example, offer double points for purchases made during the BFCM weekend. This gives shoppers a reason to choose you over competitors, and it motivates them to return after the sale.

💡 Pro tip: Use a Shopify app like EasyComm’s loyalty and subscription features to set up automated rewards campaigns quickly.

2. Offer Exclusive Perks to Loyalty Members

Make your best customers feel like insiders. You don’t always have to cut prices—sometimes perks can be more valuable than discounts. Offer loyalty members:

• Early access to BFCM sales
• Exclusive product drops
• Free shipping upgrades
• VIP-only bundles

This creates a sense of exclusivity that customers crave during high-demand shopping seasons.

3. Pair Subscriptions With Rewards

Subscriptions aren’t just for coffee boxes or pet food—they’re a powerful way to secure recurring revenue year-round. Combine them with your loyalty and rewards program for maximum impact.

Example: Customers earn loyalty points each month they stay subscribed, which they can redeem during BFCM for special perks.

This way, you’re not only getting a spike in November sales but also building predictable revenue streams for 2026.

4. Personalize Rewards With Customer Data

Generic rewards don’t cut it anymore. Use customer data from your Shopify store to segment your audience and offer rewards they actually care about.

• Beauty brand? Offer free samples of new products.
• Fitness store? Reward loyal buyers with exclusive workout guides.
• Pet food shop? Surprise customers with pet toys as loyalty bonuses.

Personalization makes your customer loyalty program feel less like a gimmick and more like a thoughtful extension of your brand.

5. Reward Beyond Purchases

Not every customer action is about spending money. Reward engagement too. This keeps your brand top-of-mind before, during, and after BFCM.

Consider rewarding customers for:

• Social shares and tags
• Newsletter signups
• Completing profile information
• Watching your product tutorials

These small incentives build stronger relationships and expand your brand’s reach without deep discounts.

6. Promote Your Loyalty Program Before BFCM

Don’t wait until Black Friday weekend to introduce your customer loyalty program. Promote it early so customers are already enrolled before the rush.

Ways to build awareness:

• Add a banner to your Shopify store homepage
• Highlight the program in email campaigns
• Tease VIP perks on social media
• Run a pre-BFCM giveaway where entry = signing up for loyalty

By the time BFCM arrives, you’ll have a ready-made list of engaged, reward-hungry shoppers.

7. Use Loyalty to Encourage Referrals

Word-of-mouth is one of the most cost-effective growth strategies, especially during BFCM. Turn your loyalty program into a referral engine.

Here’s how:

• Reward both the referrer and the new customer.
• Double the rewards during BFCM to create urgency.
• Promote “share and earn” campaigns on social media.

This taps into your current customers’ networks and brings new shoppers in at a lower acquisition cost than ads.

8. Keep Loyalty Engagement Alive After BFCM

The biggest mistake Shopify merchants make? Stopping after Cyber Monday. Instead, use BFCM momentum to fuel long-term retention.

• Send follow-up thank-you emails with bonus loyalty points.
• Launch post-BFCM challenges (e.g., spend $50 in December, earn double points).
• Highlight top loyalty members in your community.

This way, customers feel valued beyond the sales event and keep engaging with your store into the new year.

Read More: Discount Rewards That Build Customer Loyalty, Not Just Sales

Final Thoughts

This BFCM, don’t join the race to the bottom with endless discounts. Instead, focus on building meaningful customer relationships through loyalty. A well-designed customer loyalty program, paired with Shopify subscriptions and rewards, gives you a competitive edge that lasts far beyond Cyber Monday.

Ready to set up your Shopify loyalty and rewards program before BFCM 2025? Explore EasyComm today and start turning one-time shoppers into lifelong customers.

FAQs

1. How do I increase customer loyalty during BFCM?

Focus on perks beyond discounts, such as loyalty points, VIP access, and rewards for referrals. A strong loyalty and rewards program makes customers stick around even after the sales event.

2. Do loyalty programs really work for Shopify stores?

Yes. Shopify merchants using a structured customer loyalty program see higher repeat purchase rates, stronger customer retention, and increased word-of-mouth referrals.

3. Can I run a loyalty program and discounts at the same time?

Absolutely. Use discounts to attract new customers during BFCM, but layer in rewards to encourage repeat engagement and build long-term loyalty.

4. Which Shopify apps are best for loyalty and subscriptions?

Apps like EasyComm provide combined Shopify subscription and loyalty solutions—perfect for merchants who want both recurring revenue and customer retention tools in one platform.

5. Why should I focus on loyalty instead of discounts for BFCM 2025?

Because discounts eat into margins and attract one-time shoppers. Loyalty builds relationships, repeat sales, and sustainable growth beyond the BFCM weekend.