Business
Starbucks waters down its reward program, doubling number of points needed for free coffee
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Much like it has done to just about every other facet of Canadian bills, inflation has come for your morning coffee.
Starbucks is rolling out new rules for its loyalty program in the United States and Canada on Monday, changes that in some cases could see customers need to use twice as many points to get the same items they got before.
Customers will need to spend 100 stars — the chain’s version of reward points — for most of its most popular individual items, including a hot drip coffee or tea, a baked good or prepackaged snack.
Previously, those items only cost 50 stars. How much they get you is changing, but the way to earn them is the same: a customer gets one star for every dollar they spend on Starbucks items using cash, debit or credit. Paying with a preloaded gift card will earn two stars for every dollar spent.
It’s not just the basics going up, either. More expensive items like Frappucinos or hot breakfast items will now cost 200 stars instead of 150, and the price for a salad or sandwich is going from 250 to 300 stars.
A small number of items are getting comparatively cheaper, however. A 454-gram bag of packaged coffee that previously cost 400 stars will now costs 300, and an iced coffee that used to cost 150 points will now available at the cheapest, 100-point tier.


“To ensure the long-term sustainability of the Starbucks Rewards program and to meet the changing needs of our members, we occasionally need to make changes to the program, and while some items may require additional stars to redeem for, other popular items like iced coffee and packaged coffee will need less stars to redeem for and be easier for members to be rewarded,” a spokesperson for Starbucks Canada told CBC News in a statement.
It’s not the first time the company has recalibrated its reward program, with the previous major change coming in 2016 when the company switched from a system that gave reward points based on the number of visits to one that doled them out based on how much money was spent.
Indeed, Starbucks isn’t the only coffee chain watering down its reward system of late. In December, Tim Hortons made similar changes to its loyalty program, hiking the price of a coffee from 70 points to 400. (Timmies shoppers earn 10 points for every dollar they spend at the chain.)
U.S. chain Dunkin’ Donuts rolled out similar changes in October.
Patrick Sojka, the founder Rewards Canada, says the devaluation of loyalty points is probably the No. 1 issue for the loyalty point fanatics who make up his company’s customer base.
“It’s huge among the whole points and miles world,” he told CBC News in an interview. “Whether it’s travel like with frequent flyer programs, frequent guest programs, or in this case with coffee programs [there’s] lots of negativity around that.”
Sojka said he expects Starbucks to get some blowback for essentially slicing its reward tiers in half, but ultimately the chain is doing what they’re doing because they know they can.
“For the first couple of months [customers are] not going to be happy,” Sojka says. “But they’ll go back to their old ways after a few months. We’ve seen it time and time again.”
Kendra Tanev is the type of customer that Starbucks is banking on.
“I do collect the points, but … half the time they probably go to waste because I don’t really redeem them regularly,” she told the CBC outside a Calgary Starbucks location recently. “I’m going to buy the product anyway, so it doesn’t really matter.”
Starting today, Canadian members of Starbucks loyalty program will have to spend twice as much as before to get a ‘free’ cup of coffee. Coffee drinkers in Calgary shared their thoughts on the change with CBC News.
But there are other customers for whom the change has left a taste a bit like burnt coffee in their mouth: bitter.
Calgarian Sheldon Harrish said he used to go to Starbucks seven days a week, but the current era of high inflation has him much more aware of his spending, so he’s drinking more coffee at home lately, and going to Starbucks half as often as he used to.
News that his loyalty points would soon be worth half as much, too, makes him even less likely to go from now on.
“It becomes less and less of an incentive,” he said. “It makes you look for other alternatives.”
Fellow Calgarian Megan Williams had similar thoughts. “I think I spend enough money at Starbucks as it is, the drinks are not cheap, so yeah, it definitely bothers me,” she said. “I probably won’t go as often anymore.”
Loyalty test
Nicole Rourke, a professor of marketing at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ont., says that it’s well known that loyalty points are a fairly inexpensive way for brands to create repeat customers, but they are starting to get watered down to the point where they are losing their effectiveness.
“Most frequent Starbucks customers are buying the same things over and over again. If you make it more complicated for them to get free ones, I just don’t think they like it,” she said. “They’ll come up with reasons why they should go somewhere else.
She said she recently discussed Starbucks’ changes in a class with her third-year students, and the conversation among a group of brand-savvy young consumers was eye-opening.
“They already felt like it took a long time to get any big rewards back,” she said, adding that rolling out the changes the day before Valentine’s Day “is not making them feel the love…. It’s making them feel like they want to be less loyal.”




Business
How To Choose The Perfect Type Of Fundraiser For Your Cause


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Raising funds for a cause is an important and rewarding task, though it can be a daunting one as well. With so many different types of fundraisers to consider, it can feel overwhelming to decide which will work best for your organization or cause. It’s essential to understand the impact that each type of fundraiser should have on your mission statement and financial goals to make an informed decision. Whether you are selecting more common fundraising activities such as carwashes and bake sales, or opting for virtual fundraisers like crowdfunding campaigns or silent auctions, our guide covers the basics of choosing the perfect type of fundraiser with tips from fellow fundraisers to maximize success. Keep reading if you want advice on deciding upon —and then executing—the most effective way to raise money for your organization!
Understand Your Resources and Goals
Before committing to a fundraiser, it’s essential to assess your organization’s goals and resources. Understanding and leveraging your available resources and matching them to your fundraising goals is key. Successful fundraising requires planning– look at what type of money you need to raise, and ask if some volunteers or sponsors might provide their time or services. It’s important to be realistic about the time, money, and effort needed for each fundraiser. Doing a little research about each event ahead of time can help lay out expectations and make your final decision easier. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to fundraising, so it’s important to choose a style that works with your situation. And the first step is understanding what your resources and goals are.
Analyze the Target Audience for Your Fundraiser
Taking the time to analyze the target audience for your fundraiser is a vital step when planning your event. It’s important to consider the age group and interests of the people who will be attending, as well as any demographic factors that might be relevant. For example, if your cause is particularly local-based, it helps to know the population of the community to have an accurate sense of who your attendees will be. Having this information allows you to craft an event that’s geared specifically towards that audience, catering to their individual needs and interests. Doing so increases the likelihood of engagement and fundraising success. Furthermore, understanding who your target audience is can help with other decisions for your event, such as what types of food or activities would best suit them. All in all, knowledge about who will be attending gives you the ability to create a truly memorable fundraiser experience.
Research Different Fundraising Ideas
If you’re looking to raise money for your cause, there’s no shortage of possibilities. Before you decide on a fundraising method, it is important to do your research and consider all the options. Take some time to review popular options and explore which fundraising type is most applicable to what impact you’re hoping to have. You can use read a thon to raise money to support schools, extra-curricular programs, or new equipment; organize a virtual run to contribute towards medical research or a fund for people in need. It is important to understand the selling points, potential pitfalls, and details involved with running each kind of fundraiser before selecting one—without this additional information, you might select a type of fundraiser that won’t suit your needs. Doing your research will ensure that when it comes time to choose a fundraiser type, you’ll be making an informed decision that fits with your organization’s abilities and goals.
Consider Both Online and Offline Fundraisers
When it comes to picking the right type of fundraiser for your cause, there are a lot of factors to consider. What will be easy to set up and organize, which demographics you’re hoping to reach, how to get adequate participation — the list goes on. Yet one important element not all organizers consider is how taking advantage of the internet can drive huge results while minimizing additional costs. Combining online and offline fundraisers presents a unique opportunity to gain traction from many different sources and keep your volunteers engaged — all with only minimal extra effort or time investment. Whether launching an electronic donation page, tracking sales data through social media platforms, or leveraging crowdfunding networks — getting measurable public engagement has never been easier or more powerful than today. So as you plan your fundraiser projects, don’t shy away from the event-boosting power of technology when trying to hit that final goal.
Consider the Cost of Your Fundraiser
While you may be primarily focused on raising the funds needed to support your cause, it is important to also pay close attention to the cost associated with your fundraiser. Not only should you consider the cost of purchasing supplies or materials for the event itself, but also look out for other costs that could arise such as renting a space and advertising fees. Doing thorough research ahead of time will ensure you select an appropriate fundraiser for your cause – one that fits within your budget. You may also want to consider utilizing a pro bono volunteer base or getting sponsorships from local businesses to help keep costs low. With the right combination of research and resourcefulness, you can find an effective way to raise money for your cause without breaking the bank.
Check out Other Fundraisers
Many fundraisers flop because organizers didn’t take the time to look at what other organizations have tried and succeeded with. Researching the successes and failures of other groups that have held similar fundraising activities can be a great starting point in determining which methods are likely to work for your cause. Internet searches, networking with other organizations, and reaching out to traditional media outlets are all great strategies to learn more about which strategies yield success for other charities. Taking the array of available activities into consideration and understanding the pros and cons of different methods will help you make the best decision for your cause.
Talk to Colleagues
One of the best ways to decide which type of fundraiser is the perfect fit for your cause is to collaborate with colleagues who have experience in the field. Talking to other fundraisers and asking for advice on how to reach your fundraising goals can be an excellent source of ideas, as well as invaluable insights that will help you make the right decision. Make sure to reach out beyond your group and networks so that you can gauge opinions from individuals with a wide array of different perspectives and experiences. With this broad base of information, you can make an educated, informed decision that will lead to a successful fundraiser and successful campaign!
When it comes to selecting the right fundraiser for your cause, there are several strategies and resources available that can help you make the best decision. From researching other successful fundraisers and their cost-effectiveness to leveraging technology to boost public engagement, there is no shortage of methods that can be used to maximize the results of your efforts. Taking the time to talk to colleagues and consider the cost of your fundraiser will ensure that you choose the perfect event for your cause. With a bit of preparation and resourcefulness, you can create an effective fundraising campaign that will have a significant impact on your organization!
Business
Pierre Poilievre is neither for nor against the Liberals' industrial strategy. Quite the opposite – The Globe and Mail
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre reads from last year’s budget as he rises during Question Period on March 29 in Ottawa.Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press
You would think that a politician as hard-hitting as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre would have something clear to say about the big initiatives that the federal government outlined in its budget.
But somehow the Leader of the Opposition can’t tell us whether he opposes the biggest thing in the Liberal budget.
He can’t say whether he is in favour of a massive, government-subsidized industrial strategy.
We’re not talking here about some baroque measure no one saw coming. We are talking about the largest feature in the government’s new fiscal blueprint.
In Tuesday’s budget, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland outlined an enormous set of industrial subsidies for green technology that reduces emissions that will total $80-billion over the next decade.
This is an expenditure for industrial subsidies on a scale never before attempted in Canada. And we knew it was coming: The Liberal government signalled it was planning to respond to the huge subsidies in the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act. Ms. Freeland budgeted more new money for those subsidies over the next decade than for health care.
Most of that money is supposed to be spent five to 10 years from now, when there could well be another party in power, possibly under Mr. Poilievre. Companies making investment decisions this year will want to know if a potential prime minister is dead set against the whole idea. Canadians should want to know too.
But on Wednesday, Mr. Poilievre was neither for nor against. Quite the opposite.
Asked whether he is in favour of the hefty investment tax credits for things such as carbon capture and hydrogen, Mr. Poilievre said his Conservatives have been in favour of carbon capture for a long time.
So that’s a yes? Well, no, not exactly.
He said his Conservatives would “study what’s in the budget and we’re going to come up with our own election platform.” Apparently it will be a year or two before we know if Mr. Poilievre thinks that a massive program launched in the 2023 budget is a good step or a colossal waste of money.
Mr. Poilievre responded to those questions by talking about the long delays for approving projects like mines – which is a legitimate point but not an answer to the question of subsidies.
And then for a moment, he made it sound like he thinks the subsidies are an outrage. “I have no doubt that Justin Trudeau will stuff the pockets of foreign multinationals,” he said. That’s pretty biting, except for the fact that we’re not sure whether Mr. Poilievre is in favour of all that pocket-stuffing.
Certainly, no one should expect that the Conservatives would release all their policies in the platform now.
And of course there’s plenty of waffling in politics. On Wednesday, Mr. Trudeau dodged questions of whether his government will ever balance the budget, to avoid admitting it never will. Mr. Poilievre refused to say whether the Conservative government would cancel a proposed dental plan.
But in this case the government of the day is launching a major subsidy program that will cost billions of dollars a year and is supposed to be the cornerstone of a decade-long industrial strategy, and key to climate-change policy, too.
The Official Opposition can’t take a pass on that for two years and claim that its mission is holding the government to account.
It can endorse the idea, but quibble over the details. Or it can oppose the very notion of pouring megabucks into subsidies.
It is evidently an uncomfortable issue for Mr. Poilievre. He has spent a lot of his time in politics railing against corporate handouts. He couldn’t help using that language on Wednesday.
But those subsidies also include a lot of money for carbon capture and storage in the oil patch that Alberta’s United Conservative Premier Danielle Smith wants. Ontario’s Progressive Conservative Premier Doug Ford will be keen on the incentives for electricity and battery plants.
Yet there’s no way around it. This is the time when the issue is being decided, if only because the Liberals have tabled the budget with hulking piles of cash devoted to it. That will set Canada’s industrial policy on a course that is supposed to endure for a decade. An opposition leader should be able to tell us if he’s against it.
Business
As Canadians miss out on benefits, Ottawa promises automatic tax filing is on the way – BNN Bloomberg


The Canada Revenue Agency will pilot a new automatic system next year to help vulnerable Canadians who don’t file their taxes get their benefits.
This week’s federal budget says the Canada Revenue Agency will also present a plan in 2024 to expand the service, following consultations with stakeholders and community organizations.
The move toward automatic tax filing, first promised in the 2020 speech from the throne, is one of several budget measures the Liberals say are meant to help Canadians with the cost of living.
Experts and advocates have called for automatic filing, noting many vulnerable Canadians miss out on benefits to which they are entitled.
Canadians are generally not required to file tax returns every year unless they owe money, but the federal government is increasingly relying on the Canada Revenue Agency to deliver income-tested benefits to individuals.
That includes Canada Child Benefit, as well as the recent top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit and the temporary doubling of the GST tax credit.
A 2020 report co-authored by Jennifer Robson, an associate professor in political management at Carleton University, estimates 10 to 12 per cent of Canadians don’t file their taxes.
Although there were non-filers across all income groups, they were most heavily concentrated in lower income brackets.
The report estimated the value of benefits lost to working-age non-filers was $1.7 billion in 2015.
The federal budget also said the Canada Revenue Agency will expand access to a service set up in 2018 that allows some Canadians with lower or fixed incomes to auto-file simple returns over the telephone.
The budget says that two million Canadians will be eligible for that service, called “File My Return,” by 2025, which is nearly three times the number of people who can use it now.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 30, 2023.
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