Channel Islands Co-op launches loyalty

The Channel Islands Co-operative Society partners with loyalty provider to launch digital app, Miya Knights, Retail Technology Publisher, reports

The Channel Islands Co-operative Society (CI Coop) has entered a new multi-year partnership with Lobyco to transform how its 120,000-plus members engage with the retailer through a modern, digital-first experience. 

The collaboration will introduce a new membership app that brings together rewards, tailored offers, and interactive features, including gamified experiences, to strengthen loyalty and deliver more personalised value.

The announcement follows Lobyco's recent partnerships with Southern Co-op and Central Co-op in the UK, further cementing its position as a growing loyalty and engagement provider within the co-operative sector.

CI Coop operates the largest retail network across the Channel Islands, including food stores, pharmacies, and fuel services, and is the islands' biggest private employer. Partnering with Lobyco marks a strategic step in modernising its member engagement while staying true to its community-first ethos.

"Since 1919, the CI Coop has proudly served island communities, committed to fairness, service, and putting members first," said David McGrath, Chief Marketing & Membership Officer at CI Coop, told Retail Technology magazine. 

"We're excited to launch our new digital membership app, which is an important step in evolving how we engage with our members while staying true to our heritage. This isn't about replacing our values; it's about enhancing them."

A modern platform for personalised value

The new CI Coop app is designed to provide a digital space for members to:

• Access exclusive promotions and tailored offers.
• Earn and redeem rewards easily.
• Enjoy interactive, gamified features and seasonal campaigns.

McGrath described the app as "a smarter, more convenient way to shop, earn rewards, and stay connected," adding that it represents a "natural evolution of our commitment to community".

"The app introduces a range of personalised features, including tailored offers and gamified experiences," he added. "Members can unlock exclusive promotions based on their shopping habits and take part in seasonal campaigns with supplier-funded prizes."

By deploying the platform, CI Coop aims to modernise its digital experience while gathering deeper insights into member behaviour, informing everything from service development to future community initiatives.

Taking loyalty to the next level

"It's a significant step up from our current loyalty programme—more dynamic, engaging, and personal," McGrath noted.

He emphasised that the platform's data-driven capabilities will help shape "future services and community initiatives, from onboarding journeys to analogue member support," positioning the app as a foundational tool for long-term member engagement.

McGrath also highlighted Lobyco's deep roots in co-operative retail as a key reason for selecting the provider.

"Lobyco understands co-operative retail from the inside out. Their experience and flexibility helped us build something that feels uniquely ours, from integration with our systems to the design of intuitive member journeys."

As the app rolls out, CI Coop will monitor core adoption metrics, such as downloads, active usage, and reward redemption rates. But McGrath stressed that the ultimate measure goes beyond analytics.

"Success goes beyond numbers," McGrath concluded. "It's about how well the app fits into our members' lives. Over time, we see this evolving into a broader digital ecosystem that connects shopping, rewards, communications, and services in a seamless, member-first experience. It's a journey, and we're just getting started."