Gen Z forces India Inc to rewrite loyalty playbook: relevance and values over reward points

Indian marketers are being pushed to replace transactional loyalty programs with community-led models built on creator partnerships, values-driven storytelling and frictionless digital journeys, as Gen Z treats brand allegiance as conditional and easily revoked.

— Filed Thu, 14 May, 2026, 22:54 IST · Source ET Brand Equity · Updated

Gen Z is reshaping brand loyalty in India, treating it as conditional on relevance, values, and experience. Indian marketers must shift from transactional rewards to community-led loyalty via creator partnerships, values-driven storytelling, and frictionless digital experiences to stay relevant.