Rakuten Launches Programmatic Loyalty: AI-Powered Ad Solution Drives Performance and Guarantees ROAS for Retailers

New, industry-first solution helps retail marketers optimize Cash Back budgets for increased performance with minimal financial risk

Rakuten, the leading Cash Back shopping platform, launched Programmatic Loyalty, an industry-first advertising solution that leverages AI and Rakuten’s robust first-party data to deliver performance-driven outcomes—all with a guaranteed return on ad spend (ROAS). Retailers leveraging Programmatic Loyalty are already seeing impressive results. A leading home and garden brand experienced a 107% year-over-year increase in shoppers during the second half of 2024 during its ongoing campaign.

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With Programmatic Loyalty, brands and retailers can build and execute campaigns in three steps, designed and optimized using automation, data and personalization strategies:

1. Aligned performance – Define campaign gross merchandizing value (GMV) based on budget and guaranteed ROAS.
2. Fixed commission rate – Consistent commission rates throughout each month-long campaign.
3. Dynamic Cash Back and media spend – Leverage data and AI to dynamically adjust personalized incentives and placements to drive higher GMV, such as flexing Cash Back rates, targeting different audiences and purchasing media inventory.

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In addition to an increase in shoppers, the leading home and garden brand also saw an 81% rise in trips and a 5% boost in average order value (AOV) during the same period while consistently meeting its monthly ROAS goal.

“Programmatic Loyalty is revolutionizing the way in which retailers approach their affiliate investments,” says Julie Van Ullen, Chief Revenue Officer at Rakuten Rewards. “We trust our technology, data and in-house expertise enough to take a bold stance and deliver a goal-based solution for retailers. That’s something no other rewards platform can offer.”