Delhi

Chai Pe Charcha

What Makes the Modern Customer Stay?

Samir Srivastav, CEO who also looks into Customer Relations at LOOKS Salon:

“Today’s customer doesn’t stay loyal simply because of points or discounts; they stay where they consistently feel understood, valued and cared for. At LOOKS, we believe loyalty is built through the quality of every interaction, from the expertise of our professionals to the personalised experience we create for every guest. When the experience becomes a habit and the relationship becomes personal, loyalty follows naturally.”

Hemant Chavaan, CRM and Head of Marketing, E-commerce at PNG Jewellers,

"Modern customers stay when a brand understands them beyond the transaction or loyalty points. Building familiarity through meaningful experiences, consistent service, and a deep understanding of customer's evolving local trends & preferences, which vary significantly across geographies, help create familiarity and trust across diverse customer groups. This creates lasting relationships. Loyalty, ultimately, is earned when every interaction makes the customer feel recognised, valued, and confident in their choice. Hence, the real measure of loyalty is when customers return because of the experience, not just the incentive."

Aditi Sharma, Growth Head who takes care of end-to-end customer support and services at GADOTT,

“Today’s luxury consumers are increasingly prioritising experience and quality over loyalty programmes when choosing the brands they engage with. In the luxury industry, a brand’s reputation for innovation, quality, reliability, and integrity plays a key role in building lasting loyalty. Consumers develop stronger connections with brands when their products go beyond a purchase and become an integral part of their lifestyle.”

Mr Amjad Ali Khan, Chief Customer Officer, Fabindia, said

“Today’s customers look beyond transactional rewards; they value experiences, discovery and a sense of being recognised by the brands they choose. At Fabindia, we believe loyalty is about building a meaningful relationship with our customers through relevant privileges and experiences.”

Priiyanka Nalawade, Customer Service Head, Venii ,

“Excellent Product Quality and Service backed by constant innovations can help ensure long term customer loyalty ! Its about delighting and not just satisfying customer desires and aspirations!”

Atharv Johri, Senior Manager, Customer Relations & Founder Office, Boba Bhai,

“Customer loyalty today is built not only through points, offers or rewards; it is built through the experience a customer consistently associates with the brand. At Boba Bhai, we look at what makes people want to return, whether that is a product they enjoy, the freedom to customise their experience, discovering something new or simply the familiarity they develop with the brand. We also use AI-enabled monitoring of in-store experiences to understand customer patterns, interactions and reactions, which helps us identify what is resonating and where the experience can be improved. As we grow across markets, these behavioural signals help us create relevant experiences that give customers a reason to return, even without an immediate incentive attached to the purchase.”

JS Water Energy Life further

“Today’s customers increasingly stay with brands that align with their values, particularly around sustainability and environmental responsibility. Beyond product performance, they look for solutions that are effective, safe and environmentally friendly, without compromising on everyday convenience. What is also changing is that consumers are looking beyond ‘green’ claims and increasingly valuing brands that can demonstrate tangible environmental impact through what their products replace, reduce or restore. For brands, earning long term loyalty will increasingly depend on delivering genuine value while creating a measurable positive impact on people and the planet, a philosophy we follow at JS WEL as we develop environmentally responsible solutions that combine innovation, effectiveness and sustainability.”

Vivek Charde, Chief Marketing & Experience Officer at Loylty Rewardz:

“The modern customer wants reduced cognitive load. If they have to search for discount codes, compare payment offers, and go through multiple steps to redeem points, those points alone won’t cut it anymore. Brands must make all these journeys easier for them. And now, AI can help by personalising every journey based on what the customer buys and cares about. Native integrations put rewards right inside the apps they use every day. Bring it all together in one place, keep it simple, and customers will stay.”

Nilesh Rathi - VP, Customer Excellence and Operations, Optimist

“The modern customer is not looking for a rewards programme as much as they are looking for a product that truly makes their daily life better. It starts with understanding the problem well, rather than guessing what customers need. In cooling, for example, comfort is not just about reaching a certain temperature. It is about how people feel when it is hot or humid, how much energy they use, how they sleep, and the convenience they experience at home. At Optimist, we have tried to build around these real-life needs, from creating designs that work effectively in Indian summers to giving people greater control and awareness through technology. When a product consistently does what it promises, addresses everyday problems, and keeps getting better based on how people actually use it, trust follows naturally. The opportunity for brands today is to listen more carefully, solve more deeply, and make the overall experience something people genuinely value.”

Himaghna Dey Sarkar, Chief Expansion Officer, ToneTag.

"Customer loyalty today is increasingly shaped by the quality of every interaction, not just the rewards attached to it. From how easily customers can access a service to how naturally they can interact with it, every touchpoint matters. When experiences are simple, intuitive, and frictionless, customers have fewer reasons to look elsewhere. For brands, reducing friction across these interactions is becoming a powerful way to strengthen customer relationships and create lasting engagement."

Debabrata Das, Chief General Manager (COO), Bank of Baroda.
who also handles the customer experience department at the Bank

"Customer loyalty has evolved from a programme of rewards to a relationship built on trust, relevance and consistent value. In an increasingly digital world, seamless experiences and effortless access are critical to earning customer confidence. Ultimately, customers stay when a brand consistently keeps its promise and makes their journey better.

True loyalty is created when every customer feels ownership of the Bank and its interaction feels effortless, relevant and dependable. Our focus is to combine the power of technology with the strength of relationships to create enduring customer value."-

Chandresh Bhardwaj, Head - After Sales, Midea India, whose portfolio also includes Customer Relations.

Customer retention today goes far beyond loyalty programs it is driven by consistent and meaningful experiences across the entire customer journey. It begins at the retail stage, where product visibility, clear information, and the warmth of in-store representatives shape the first impression. Post-purchase, a responsive customer care system that offers clarity, empathy, and ownership builds trust and confidence.

At the customer’s doorstep, service engineers play a critical role as brand ambassadors. Their professionalism, technical expertise, and ability to resolve issues effectively leave a lasting impact. Equally important is end-of-life support responsible disposal or recycling reflects a brand’s integrity and commitment beyond the sale

Ultimately, modern customers stay loyal to brands that deliver seamless, trustworthy, and human-centric experiences at every touchpoint.