I'm not sure what it means to your business, but read on and you decide.

I am not a big fan of Starbucks nor do I drink coffee. I am a fan of how Starbucks is able to grow their business and retain customer loyalty and a high percentage of repeat business.

According to The Wall Street Journal:

  

The average Starbucks U.S. store brings in $21,373 per week.

Purchases made on the Starbucks Card make up 27% of their U.S. revenue (see article cited below).

  

$2.2 billion was loaded onto Starbucks Cards in the year through September 2011.

  

According to the article, the majority of Starbucks customers use the balances on their cards within 90 days. In other words, Starbucks customers come in frequently, use their cards frequently, and refill them frequently.

  

Starbucks allows customers to buy or refill their cards with any whole dollar amount starting with $5.

I'm wondering how your retail business or restaurant can emulate Starbucks? Can you follow Starbucks and get your customers to purchase refillable gift or stored value cards?

Try this (for example). Raise your prices by 15%. Give all of your refillable stored value card users a 20% discount on all purchases.