Reward shopping is not a new concept. In fact rewards have often been given for shopping. This has often been in the form of a small free gift or some other free item. The retailers induce you to buy - money off, money back - all types of rewards.

Reward shopping has progressed since the early days but the underlying philosophy is the same. If, by shopping, with the promise of rewards, a consumer feels that they have "made" or "gained" something then they are more likely to buy and, more importantly, buy again and again. In days gone by, rewards were of the type "a better life", "cleaner clothes" or "a better smoking experience".

Take a look at the different types of reward shopping now. Some companies promise "two for one" whilst others promise your entry into a competition to win a car, a holiday or a year's supply of whatever you have just bought (or are about to buy).

There are endless rewards - a make over at a salon, a day with David Beckham, a night in a Murder Mystery Hotel. The list and ingenuity is almost endless.

Perhaps the best type of reward shopping is that which allows you to get cashback. This is usually run by the credit card companies. The rewards are generally a percentage of your shopping spend back in the form of cash. The reward is usually of the order of 0.5 or 1% - but can vary. Some companies will reward your (loyal) shopping with greater percentages the more you buy.

This type of retailing is here to stay and reward shopping is an assumed part of company development