Franchisees who have signed up to a consumer rewards initiative with landlord Centro Properties Group will see the Freebies Rewards program rolled out across 42 shopping centres following a successful four month trial.

Hairhouse Warehouse at Centro Brandon Park participated in the pilot and saw a year-to-date sales variance rise of more than 46 percent.

Franchisee Debbie Moglia said “Freebies Rewards has increased awareness of our store, products and services to new and existing customer and our sales figures are demonstrating this.”

The reward scheme members swipe a dedicated machine in the shopping centres to get vouchers they can exchange for personalised incentives and prizes based on their shopping frequency and expenditure. Offers include discounts and exclusive from fashion, food and homewares to services and entertainment.

Centro’s franchise tenants include Brumby’s, Dymocks, Gloria Jean’s Coffees, Hairhouse Warehouse, Healthy Habits, House, Lenard’s, McDonalds, Michel’s Patisserie, Muffin Break, Specsavers and Wendy’s.

National marketing manager for Centro, Lisa Charter, said the rewards program also gives franchisees the ability to track consumer shopping habits.

“Today it is important for retailers to have the ability to react quickly and Freebies Rewards provides this at the customer level,” she said.

“The majority of our centres have regular visitors doing top up or weekly shopping. The centres are the hub of the local community.”