One of my favourite budget-friendly benefits is the retailer discounts and offers we provide to our colleagues, which helps their money go further on everyday costs and experiences. Through our Difference Maker Hub, powered by Reward Gateway and launched in November 2022, we have seen remarkable engagement and real savings for our colleagues.
In the past year, colleagues have accessed over 73,000 offers, spending more than £320,000 with popular retailers while saving an average of 6%. These savings have supported employees in various meaningful ways, such as funding holidays with loved ones, purchasing home furnishings and appliances, and enjoying local experiences like cinema trips. The hub’s versatility is a standout feature, offering instant vouchers, reloadable cards, cashback and discount codes. Reloadable cards, in particular, have been instrumental in helping colleagues budget for larger purchases or regular expenses through automatic top-ups.
A particularly thoughtful addition last year was the ability for colleagues to send vouchers as gifts to family and friends via the hub. This allowed them to save money while still giving fantastic gifts, demonstrating how this benefit goes beyond work to enhance their personal lives.
Moreover, our colleagues enjoy year-round discounts in our stores and homes, making essential and everyday items even more affordable. This Christmas we also rewarded our colleagues with festive initiatives, such as loading their member cards with additional funds in time for our double-discount period, which has been really well-received as a practical gesture for the festive period.
This approach exemplifies how creative, cost-effective benefits can drive employee satisfaction and financial wellbeing. By leveraging retailer partnerships and smart technology, we empower staff to save money while maintaining a strong sense of connection and appreciation within the Society, showing that impactful benefits don’t always have to come with a high price tag.
Jennifer Roberts is head of reward and wellbeing at Central Co-op