The right stamp count comes from your customer’s visit frequency, not your taste. Divide the stamp count by their monthly visits to see how long they need to reach the reward. Keep the result between three and six weeks: shorter and the reward loses its value, longer and the customer loses interest.
Why three to six weeks?
Shorter than three weeks and the reward recurs often enough to become predictable, turning it from a reward into a standing discount already priced into the customer’s mind. Longer than six weeks and the goal is distant enough to be forgotten between visits, and a forgotten card motivates nobody.
The window between them is where the goal stays visible without becoming cheap. It is also short enough for the card to complete two or three cycles before the customer decides whether your shop is a habit.
Reference numbers by trade
| Trade | Monthly visits | Suggested count | Completes in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily cafe | 20 | 8 stamps | Under 2 weeks |
| Weekly cafe | 8 | 6 stamps | 3 weeks |
| Bakery | 10 | 8 stamps | 3.5 weeks |
| Restaurant | 2 | 4 stamps | 8 weeks |
| Barber | 1.5 | 3 stamps | 8 weeks |
| Car wash | 2 | 4 stamps | 8 weeks |
| Beauty salon | 1 | 3 stamps | 12 weeks |
Notice that low-frequency trades exceed six weeks however few stamps you set — three stamps for a monthly customer still means three months. In those cases a cashback or membership card suits better than stamps in the first place.