PC Plus and Shoppers Optimum to Become “PC Optimum” on February 1, 2018
By Simon Hung
November 8, 2017Two of Canada’s most popular loyalty programs will merge into one early next year, as PC Plus and Shoppers Optimum will become PC Optimum, effective February 1, 2018.
Loblaw acquired Shoppers Drug Mart in a deal worth $12.4 billion in 2014 and the Shoppers Optimum program was largely unchanged, but according to some industry analysts, a merger was inevitable, especially after CIBC and PC Financial decided to end their banking partnership earlier this year, a move that allowed Loblaw to focus solely on their credit card and PC Plus programs.
Both PC Plus and Shoppers Optimum operate on a similar premise, as you earn points when you shop at participating stores and can redeem your accumulated points for merchandise at a later date. Shoppers Optimum has the edge in value, as a balance of 95,000 points is valued at $170.00 with Optimum vs. $95.00 with PC Plus.
Currently, PC Plus is accepted at Loblaw banner stores including Loblaws, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Zehrs and others, while Shoppers Optimum is only accepted at Shoppers Drug Mart. In the past, there have been instances where Optimum members had the opportunity to transfer their points to PC Plus, but otherwise the programs are not interchangeable.
Consolidating the programs will streamline operations for Loblaw and make shopping simpler for customers, as a single loyalty card or app would be used at both Loblaw stores and Shoppers Drug Mart. However, the consolidation into one app may also result in fewer in-app bonuses and redemption offers.
According to The Canadian Press, PC Optimum points will be valued at 10,000 points for every $10.00, 20,000 points for $20.00, 30,000 points for $30.00 and so on, up to a maximum single redemption of 500,000 points for $500.00. Loblaw has also stated that members will earn 50% more points per dollar at Shoppers Drug Mart with the new program to help offset the higher redemption thresholds.
On February 1, 2018, any remaining points you have on your account will be converted to PC Optimum points and retain their full PC Plus or Optimum value. Until then, both loyalty programs will operate normally and you can learn more about the PC Optimum changeover by visiting pcplus.ca or calling 1-844-720-4672.
39 Comments
Would spend all optimum points before the combination though
There are more questions then answers right now obviously, but I'm sure these will soon be answered.
The point of this is to drive sales at superstore not to piss people off.
I always stack with PC plus and get tons of points on my groceries.
Same earning capacity at each banner
Same redemption rates at each banner
Thanks!
I'm sure something like this is going to take some time to get out, properly. You are clearly looking at a leak at this moment.
I'll definitely be following up on this tomorrow (hopefully when they release more information on the transition)
PC mastercard is 3% at groceries, shoppers and esso, its crazy good.
I've got $255 value or 153k points in my SDM account. I bet what they can do is either:
Give me 255k points in PC plus which is less likely. Or
They give me 153K in PC plus. However they announce different redemption rule at SDM and Superstore. For example, 153K PC Plus points will worth $153 in superstore or $255 in SDM. I think the later one is most likely which has no impact to the current rule.
Well, we will see tmr.
One plus is the possibility of buying a console or any expensive electronics outright at SDM with PC points. Currently you can only redeem maximum 95k points topping out at $220 depending on the promo and paying the rest out of pocket.
However, I have been very good at maxing out the value of the optimum program, but I guess all good things come to an end. I just expect to see less from the new program on the Shoppers side.