PC Optimum

PC Plus launched as a digital loyalty program in May 2013.{{cite web |last1=Jackson |first1=Brian |title=Loblaws' digital PC Plus loyalty program expected to add 'hundreds of millions' in revenue |url=https://www.itbusiness.ca/news/loblaws-digital-pc-plus-loyalty-program-expected-to-add-hundreds-of-millions-in-revenue/50396 |website=itbusiness.ca |date=12 August 2014 |access-date=1 January 2019}}{{cite web |last1=Brunsdon |first1=Denice |title=Loblaws' new "PC Plus" loyalty program is really a game in surprise |url=https://www.canadianbusiness.com/blogs-and-comment/loblaw-pc-plus-gamification/ |website=Canadian Business |access-date=1 January 2019}}

In January 2017, an Ottawa man was arrested for fraud and money laundering for the redemption of points from stolen PC Plus accounts to purchase gift cards worth hundreds of dollars in value.{{cite web |last1=Burke |first1=Ashley |title=Theft of shoppers' PC Plus points prompts Loblaws warning |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/stolen-pc-plus-points-scam-loblaw-1.3992660 |website=CBC |access-date=5 April 2019}}

On February 1, 2018, the PC Plus program merged with Shoppers Drug Mart's similar Optimum program (Loblaw Companies had previously acquired the chain) to form PC Optimum. Users were instructed to transition their existing PC Plus and Optimum accounts online or do so in person and exchange their cards at Loblaw grocery or Shoppers Drug Mart locations. There were also several technical issues on-launch, including errors when creating an account on the PC Optimum app, the PC Optimum website being down for several hours, stores not giving out new cards, as well as some users' points not being transferred to the new service correctly. Loblaw acknowledged these difficulties, stating that they were aware "that the transition has not been smooth for some", and were working with customers to rectify them.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/loblaws-optimum-rewards-1.4556211|title=Missing points plague members in Loblaws switch to PC Optimum card|work=CBC News|access-date=2018-03-14|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/pc-optimum-program-stumbles-out-of-the-gate-with-technical-issues-1.3784829|title=PC Optimum program stumbles out of the gate with technical issues|date=2018-02-01|work=CTV News|publisher=Bell Media|access-date=2018-03-14|language=en-CA}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/how-to-change-over-to-the-pc-optimum-program-1.3784829|title=How to change over to the PC Optimum program|date=2018-02-01|work=CTV News|publisher=Bell Media|access-date=2018-02-01|language=en-CA}} As was the case before, only Shoppers Drug Mart locations will offer base points on purchases, at 15 points per dollar spent.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/loblaw-shoppers-optimum-pc-plus-loyalty-programs-1.4392494|title=Shoppers Optimum merging with PC Plus points to make 1 loyalty program for both stores|work=CBC News|access-date=2017-11-08|language=en}}

Several glitches and errors were related to the launch of the PC Optimum program; such as difficulty in merging points,{{cite web |last1=Cazzin |first1=Julie |title=How to fix problems with your new PC Optimum accounts |url=https://www.moneysense.ca/spend/shopping/from-missing-points-to-card-linking-issues-how-to-solve-your-pc-points-problems/ |website=Moneysense |date=7 May 2018 |access-date=1 January 2019}} missing and stolen points,{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Sophia |title=Thieves steal millions of PC Optimum points, go on shopping sprees |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/pc-optimum-account-hack-points-rewards-1.4586135 |website=CBC |publisher=CBC News |access-date=1 January 2019}} and several technical issues.{{cite web |last1=Shaw |first1=Hollie |title=Loblaw shrugs off PC Optimum card glitches, signs up 6 million customers amid fierce competition |url=https://business.financialpost.com/news/retail-marketing/loblaw-profit-falls-on-flat-sales-and-a-slew-of-charges |website=Financial Post |access-date=1 January 2019}}{{cite web |title=PC Optimum stumbles out the gate with technical issues |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/pc-optimum-program-stumbles-out-of-the-gate-with-technical-issues-1.3784829 |website=CTV News |date=February 2018 |access-date=1 January 2019}}{{cite web |last1=Floyd |first1=Tori |title=PC Optimum launch runs into issues on day one |url=https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/pc-optimum-launch-runs-issues-day-one-161428019.html |website=Yahoo Finance! |access-date=1 January 2019}} According to a Loblaw financial report, the expenses associated with the creation of the PC Optimum brand was 189 million dollars.{{cite web |title=Loblaw says earnings hit by PC Optimum, price-fixing costs |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/loblaw-earnings-pc-optimum-1.4546863 |website=CBC |publisher=The Canadian Press |access-date=1 January 2019}}

On March 13, 2018, Loblaw announced that Imperial Oil would switch to PC Optimum as the main loyalty program for its Esso-branded gas stations, ending a 14-year relationship with Aeroplan.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/loblaws-pc-optimum-esso-1.4573927|title=Esso moves to affiliate itself with PC Optimum, no longer Aeroplan, in loyalty point switch|work=CBC News|access-date=2018-03-14|language=en}} PC Optimum is also accepted at the gas stations of sister brand Mobil, which launched in Canada as part of the 2017 acquisition of Loblaw's gas station network by Brookfield Business Partners.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/loblaw-gas-station-brookfield-1.4075290|title=Mobil brand of gas stations to launch in Canada after deal for 213 Loblaws-owned locations|work=CBC News|access-date=2017-10-28|language=en}} The partnership officially launched August 2018, with 10 points being awarded for every litre of gas and every dollar spent on other eligible purchases (including car washes and convenience store purchases).{{Cite news|url=https://www.journaldequebec.com/2018/08/09/les-points-pc-optimum-maintenant-offerts-chez-esso-a-la-place-daeroplan|title=Les points PC Optimum maintenant offerts chez Esso à la place d'Aéroplan|last=Tremblay|first=Diane|work=Le Journal de Québec|access-date=2018-08-23|language=fr-CA}}{{Cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4079705/esso-aeroplan-pc-optimum-loblaw-esso-extra/|title=Esso drops Aeroplan as it picks up Loblaw's PC Optimum, Esso Extra to continue|last=Alini|first=Erica|work=Global News|access-date=2018-09-11}}{{cite news |last1=Marowits |first1=Ross |title=Aeroplan loses partnership with Esso as it moves to Loblaws PC Optimum program |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/aeroplan-loses-partnership-with-esso-as-it-moves-to-loblaws-pc-optimum-programesso-moves-to-loblaws-pc-optimum/article38280347/ |website=The Globe and Mail |date=13 March 2018 |access-date=5 April 2019}}

In April 2019, Loblaw announced a trial program under which customers can receive free bonus points for opting into online behavioural advertising based on information associated with their PC Optimum accounts.{{Cite web|url=https://business.financialpost.com/news/retail-marketing/loblaw-looks-to-leverage-loyalty-data-with-online-advertising-business|title=Loblaw looks to leverage loyalty data with online advertising business|work=Financial Post|date=2019-04-03|language=en-CA|access-date=2019-04-08}}

In 2024, an investigation was launched by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada in regards to the ability to delete PC Optimum accounts.{{cite web |title=Privacy commissioner investigating customer claims they can't delete PC Optimum accounts |url=https://www.cbc.ca/1.7273382 |website=CBC News |publisher=The Canadian Press |access-date=27 July 2024}}

Customers earn points for purchasing specific weekly "loaded offers" (which are managed from the PC Optimum website and mobile app) based on purchasing habits, or through in-store promotions tied to specific purchases or coupons. PC Financial credit card users also earn points based on the dollar value of all purchases placed on the card through any retailer. The rate of point acquisition varies depending on which credit card is used, and whether or not the purchase made was at a Loblaw-affiliated store. For example, if a purchase was made at a participating Loblaw affiliate, then the stated rate is 10 points for every dollar spent on a PC Mastercard, 20 points per dollar on a PC World Mastercard and 30 points per dollar on a PC World Elite Mastercard.{{cite web |title=PC Mastercard |url=https://www.pcfinancial.ca/en/credit-cards |website=PC Financial |access-date=1 January 2019}} As 1000 PC Points are valued at $1, the minimum rate of return is 1%. Promotions are sometimes used to give bonus points on specific products.PC Points promotional website: [http://www.pcfinancial.ca/english/pcpoints/pcpointsplus?shutter=1 About PC points]

Points can be redeemed for free groceries or other rewards. Points may be redeemed once a customer has reached a total of 10,000 or more (1,000 points = {{CA$}}1).{{cite web |title=Five things to know about the merger of PC Optimum |url=https://www.cp24.com/news/five-things-to-know-about-the-merger-of-pc-points-and-shoppers-optimum-1.3785329 |website=CP24 |date=February 2018 |publisher=The Canadian Press |access-date=1 January 2019}} Customers must also have a second form of payment once points are redeemed (as customers can only use points in multiples of 10,000) if they do not want to overspend their points. Points can not be redeemed for gift cards, alcohol,{{cite web |last1=Gibillini |first1=Nicole |title=7 things to know about the new PC Optimum reward program |url=https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/7-things-to-know-about-the-new-pc-optimum-reward-program-1.984200 |website=BNN Bloomberg |date=February 2018 |access-date=1 January 2019}} tobacco, lottery tickets, or prescription medication.{{cite web |title=FAQ|url=https://www.pcoptimum.ca/help-and-support/faq?section=manage-pco&question=pcid |website=PC Optimum |access-date=1 January 2019}}

Unlike many other retail loyalty schemes, customers must buys specific products to earn points. It is possible to spend several hundred dollars in a single grocery transaction and not receive any points at all through the standard loyalty program.{{cite web |last1=Owainati |first1=Hyder |title=How the PC Optimum program works |url=https://www.ratehub.ca/blog/how-the-pc-optimum-program-works/ |website=Ratehub.ca |access-date=12 September 2020 |date=31 January 2020}} Specific credit cards affiliated with Loblaws offer bonus points based on purchases themselves.{{cite web |last1=Bradshaw |first1=James |title=Loblaw moves back into banking three years after cutting ties with CIBC |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-loblaw-moves-back-into-banking-three-years-after-cutting-ties-with/ |website=The Globe and Mail |access-date=27 July 2024}} One such credit card is President's Choice Financial.{{cite web |last1=Naidu-Ghelani |first1=Rajeshni |title=Almost half of consumers who switched credit cards were looking for better rewards program, survey shows |url=https://www.cbc.ca/1.4817187 |website=CBC News |access-date=27 July 2024}}

Announced in November 2017 as a pilot program, PC Insiders is a $99 per year (or $9.99 per month) pilot program for PC Plus members.{{Cite news|url=http://www.canadiangrocer.com/top-stories/headlines/loblaw-pilots-fee-based-subscription-loyalty-program-77011|title=Loblaw pilots fee-based loyalty program|last=Laird|first=Kristin|date=20 November 2017|work=Canadian Grocer|access-date=20 November 2017}} The program includes bonus points on diapers, infant formula, PC Organics products, Joe Fresh products, and on the Shoppers Drug Mart beauty website.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/loblaw-loyalty-program-1.4410033|title=Loblaws pitches upgraded loyalty program for $9.99 a month for premium perks|last=Evans|first=Pete|date=20 November 2017|work=CBC News|access-date=20 November 2017}} In addition, subscribers receive free order pickup with PC Express, complimentary online shipping, and a PC Travel credit. In December 2018, the program exited its pilot phase and became available to all PC Optimum members.{{Cite news|url=https://business.financialpost.com/news/retail-marketing/loblaw-rolls-out-amazon-prime-style-loyalty-program-for-99-a-year|title=Loblaw rolls out Amazon Prime-style loyalty program for $99 a year|last=Edmiston|first=Jake|date=6 December 2018|work=Financial Post|access-date=9 December 2018}}

• Air Miles
• Canadian Tire money
• Scene+

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• {{Official website|https://www.pcoptimum.ca/}}

{{George Weston Limited}}

{{Customer loyalty programs}}

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Category:Customer loyalty programs in Canada