The Challenge
When Jabir opened Sweet Spot Dessert Parlour in February 2025, he faced the same challenge every new food business encounters: how do you turn curious first-time visitors into loyal regulars?
Barking has a competitive dessert scene, with established chains and independents vying for the same sweet-toothed customers. Jabir knew his waffles, shakes, and signature kunafa creations were exceptional, but getting customers to return before trying competitors was the real battle.
"We had people coming in, loving what we served, posting on Instagram, and then... nothing. They'd disappear."
says Jabir. "I considered paper stamp cards, but they felt outdated. My customers are young, they're on their phones constantly. I needed something that matched the vibe of the business."
Jabir also wanted visibility into who his customers actually were. With paper cards, he had no idea how often people visited, which products drove loyalty, or whether his weekend customers ever came back during the week.
The Solution
Jabir discovered Lokaly when searching for digital loyalty solutions aimed at UK small businesses. The NFC tap-to-collect system immediately stood out.
"The moment I saw how it worked, I was sold. My staff wear the NFC tags on lanyards. When a customer orders, they just tap their phone on the tag. Three seconds and done. No fumbling with paper cards, no asking if they have the app, no awkward pauses."
How It Works at Sweet Spot
- Staff wear Lokaly NFC tags on retractable lanyards around their necks
- When a customer pays, the staff member presents the tag for the customer to tap
- First-time customers download the Lokaly app and create an account in seconds
- Returning customers simply tap to collect their stamp instantly
- After 8 stamps, customers redeem a free dessert of their choice
Jabir started on Lokaly's free Starter tier, which gave him 2 NFC tags and room for 50 customers. Within six weeks, he'd hit that limit and upgraded to the Growth plan at just £10 per month.
The Results
After 10 months with Lokaly, the numbers speak for themselves:
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Total loyalty members | 847 customers signed up |
| 30-day return rate | 68% of members return within 30 days |
| Average visits per member | 4.2 visits (and growing) |
| Stamps collected | 3,500+ stamps |
| Free rewards redeemed | 312 free desserts |
| Discovery (Nearby feature) | 89 new customers found via the app |
"What really surprised me was the discovery feature. People who already have the Lokaly app can see us when they're nearby. We've had 89 completely new customers walk in just because they spotted us on the app while in the area. That's free customer acquisition."
Beyond the Numbers
For Jabir, the impact goes beyond metrics. Lokaly has changed how he understands and connects with his customers.
"I can see that my weekend crowd is different from my weekday crowd. Weekends are families treating the kids. Weekdays are younger people grabbing a shake after college. Knowing this helps me plan staffing and even think about promotions."
The staff have embraced the system too. There's no training burden because wearing a lanyard and presenting it for a tap is second nature. New staff pick it up on their first shift.
"Customers actually ask about it now. They see other people tapping and want to know what it is. It's become part of the Sweet Spot experience."
Jabir's Advice for Other Businesses
"Start on the free tier." I was sceptical at first because I'd never heard of Lokaly, but the free tier let me test it properly without any risk. Within weeks I could see it was working, and upgrading was a no-brainer.
"Make sure your staff wear the tags visibly." When customers see other people tapping, they ask about it. It markets itself.
"Don't overthink the reward." We do 8 stamps for a free dessert. Simple. People understand it instantly.
