Is a High-Tech Customer Loyalty System Right For You? Here's what you need to know about starting a loyalty program that keeps customers coming back.

Q: Are the new high-tech customer loyalty systems worth it?

A: The short answer is yes, if only for the customer analytics they provide. With such systems, customers sign up online; after that, you'll know exactly when they're in your store, what they bought and how quickly they redeemed the promotional offer that brought them there.

For a more detailed discussion, we turned to Flora Delaney, president of Delaney Consulting in Edina, Minn., who works with retailers such as PetSmart on business development.