Loyalty programs in retail are no longer just a “nice-to-have.” They are the foundation for sustainable growth, deeper customer relationships, and higher customer lifetime value. One retailer that has truly mastered the loyalty game is Dormy Golf—Sweden’s leading golf retailer with a program that sets the benchmark for how to do loyalty right.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through why loyalty matters more than ever, what makes Dormy’s approach stand out, what they’ve achieved so far, and how you can begin building a loyalty strategy of your own.
Why is loyalty so important in retail?
In a market where customer acquisition is becoming increasingly expensive, retention is where the real value lies. Studies show it costs up to 7x more to acquire a new customer than to keep an existing one. Loyal customers do more than return, they recommend, spend more, and engage on a deeper level.
In a retail environment defined by rising expectations and endless choice, loyalty programs offer you a way to:
- Build long-term customer relationships
- Access first-party data to personalize communication
- Stand out from competitors with meaningful experiences
- Increase customer lifetime value and average order frequency
For Dormy Golf, loyalty isn’t a tactic—it’s a business philosophy.
What is Dormy Golf’s loyalty program about?
Dormy’s loyalty program, My Dormy, is deeply integrated into their entire customer journey. It’s not just a marketing channel—it’s a core part of how they operate.
Here’s what sets My Dormy apart:
- Two-tier membership: Customers start at “Base” level and can progress to “Black,” which unlocks more exclusive benefits.
- Highly personalized communication: Dormy uses customer data to send relevant product recommendations, follow-up emails, and birthday greetings.
- Emotional loyalty: Their aim is not just to reward purchases, but to make every customer feel seen, valued, and supported in their golf journey.
- Cross-channel consistency: Whether customers shop online or in-store, their experience and benefits as members are seamlessly connected.
CEO Anders Wall sums it up best:
“Working with customer loyalty is the backbone of our business and has been since day one. It sounds cliché, but what’s good for the customer is good for us.”
What did Dormy achieve?
Dormy’s approach to loyalty has produced impressive results:
- Over 400,000 active members in the program
- 97% of all purchases in physical stores come from loyalty members
- Significant share of online revenue driven by personalized communication
- A high level of emotional engagement and advocacy among top-tier members
Their customers don’t just participate in the loyalty program; they identify with it. Many feel proud to be in the “Black” membership tier, not just for the perks, but because of the recognition and appreciation it represents.
This level of success didn’t come from offering blanket discounts. It came from building trust, delivering value, and maintaining a human connection at scale.
Practical tips to get started with loyalty
Looking to follow in Dormy’s footsteps? Here are a few practical actions to build your own loyalty program:
1. Make loyalty a company-wide mindset
Don’t silo loyalty into marketing. Involve sales, support, logistics, and leadership. Everyone should understand how their role contributes to customer satisfaction and retention.
2. Start with customer insight
Use segmentation to understand different customer needs. What do first-time buyers need vs. loyal VIPs? What motivates each group to return?
3. Go beyond points and discounts
Offer meaningful interactions—personal product advice, helpful content, or birthday perks. Small touches create a big emotional impact.
4. Design tiered experiences
Like Dormy, consider introducing membership levels. This motivates shoppers to engage more while giving you a framework to scale benefits.
5. Measure what matters
Track retention rate, repeat purchase behavior, member satisfaction, and engagement with loyalty communications, not just redemption rates.
Let’s sum it up
Dormy Golf proves that loyalty isn’t just about retention; it’s about building a brand that customers want to be part of. Their approach shows that when loyalty is ingrained in your culture, supported by the right technology, and guided by empathy, the results speak for themselves.
If you want to build a program that creates real value for both your business and your customers, Dormy’s model is a masterclass worth following.