The present invention provides a
system for implementing a
loyalty program on a network-wide level. The
system associates UPC and SKU data on a
network level to reward consumers and / or to analyze the data for a variety of business purposes, such as market segmentation analyses and / or analyses relating to
consumer spending behaviors or patterns for example. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the association of UPC and SKU data by the
system facilitates implementation of an incentive or
loyalty program by providing a universal rewards currency. This universal rewards currency may be “spent” by participants who have earned rewards and accepted by the other participants in the multi-tiered network created by the system. The network may comprise any number of participants, including consumers, retailers (and any of their employees), manufacturers, third-party providers, and the like. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the association of UPC and SKU data by the system facilitates
data analysis on a
network level based upon several factors, including a
consumer ID,
consumer profile, retailer ID, SKU number, UPC, manufacturer ID, and / or the like. The system may compile any of the above data across multiple entities for the purpose of
data analysis, such as analyses which may be employed in strategic planning and marketing for example.