The present invention provides a system for implementing a loyalty program
on a network-wide level. The system associates UPC and SKU data on a
network level to reward consumers and/or to analyze the data for a
variety of business purposes, such as market segmentation analyses and/or
analyses relating to consumer spending behaviors or patterns for example.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the association of UPC
and SKU data by the system facilitates implementation of an incentive or
loyalty program by providing a universal rewards currency. This universal
rewards currency may be "spent" by participants who have earned rewards
and accepted by the other participants in the multi-tiered network
created by the system. The network may comprise any number of
participants, including consumers, retailers (and any of their
employees), manufacturers, third-party providers, and the like. In
accordance with another aspect of the invention, the association of UPC
and SKU data by the system facilitates data analysis on a network level
based upon several factors, including a consumer ID, consumer profile,
retailer ID, SKU number, UPC, manufacturer ID, and/or the like. The
system may compile any of the above data across multiple entities for the
purpose of data analysis, such as analyses which may be employed in
strategic planning and marketing for example.