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Case Study: Stauffers of Kissel Hill’s Loyalty Program

Posted on by Kurt Fromherz

How Stauffers Turned First-Time Rewards into 15,000+ Loyal App Users

When Stauffers of Kissel Hill Home & Garden decided to launch their first-ever customer rewards program, they wanted more than a simple discount card. Their vision was to connect with shoppers in a smarter, more seasonal, and plant-focused way—while also gathering the kind of customer data that could shape future marketing.

The solution came through the Sunrise Marketing app platform, launched in November 2024. By spring 2025, the program had already transformed thousands of casual shoppers into engaged, loyal app users.

A Mobile-First Loyalty Program

Instead of adding friction at the register, Stauffers used QR-code check-ins that tracked visits instantly—no POS integration required. Shoppers loved the ease, logging more than 22,000 check-ins in just three months.

The app also introduced tiered rewards (Silver through Diamond), which created excitement and milestones. Over 1,400 members advanced beyond Silver, and two even reached the coveted Diamond tier in the very first season.

Seasonal Offers That Stick

By focusing coupons and push alerts around plant-specific needs, Stauffers drove impressive results. During National Bird Feeding Month, one coupon received 569 taps and 310 redemptions. A timely First Day of Spring offer saw similar success.

The app’s content feed went beyond discounts, offering quick videos, blogs, and inspiration. A short “Visit Our Patio Showroom” video earned nearly 600 taps, while links to the online store and weekly flyer generated thousands more.

Data that Drives Marketing

One of the biggest wins came from email growth. Thanks to the app’s weekly export feature, Stauffers added 10,427 clean, verified emails to their Constant Contact list in just one season—a treasure trove of first-party data to use in future drip campaigns.

Customer & Staff Reactions

Shoppers praised the app for being both the only way to get coupons and a convenient all-in-one hub with store hours, directions, and instant contact options.

For staff, the lift was light: just 2 hours a week to refresh content (mostly repurposed from existing ads and social posts) and 1 hour a week for minor login questions.

The Business Impact

  • Bigger baskets: Reward redemptions lifted ticket sizes by $25+.

  • Real-time reach: Push notifications drove immediate traffic—faster than email.

  • Smarter planning: Weekly reports showed which plants and promotions resonated most, guiding future buys.

Lessons for Other Garden Centers

  • Make the app highly visible at every checkout and on carts.

  • Tie coupons to seasonal plant needs (bird seed in winter, pansies in spring, pollinator natives in summer).

  • Repurpose creative—you don’t need to reinvent graphics.

  • Use tier names like Silver, Gold, and Platinum for added appeal.

The Bottom Line

In just one season, Stauffers went from zero loyalty infrastructure to a data-rich, mobile-first rewards ecosystem. With over 15,000 downloads, 22,000+ check-ins, and 10,000 new emails, the Sunrise Marketing app platform proved that plant-focused rewards and timely offers can turn occasional shoppers into loyal, engaged customers.

Kurt Fromherz