10 retailers like Macy's, Ralph Lauren, and Victoria's Secret suspended their affiliate programs with a top influencer platform

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• At least 10 retailers including Macy’s, Patagonia, and Victoria’s Secret suspended their affiliate programs with RewardStyle, according to a blog update on the popular influencer platform. 
• The change was announced on March 24 in the members-only section of RewardStyle’s website, which was viewed by Business Insider. 
• One brand listed on March 24, Ulta, later reinstated its program with RewardStyle, according to a March 26 email to RewardStyle members viewed by Business Insider.
• As brands cancel influencer-marketing campaigns or put projects on hold, affiliate revenue has become a growing source of income for some digital creators. But that could be threatened if retailers cut their programs.
• Click here for more BI Prime stories.

At least 10 retailers including Macy’s, Patagonia, and Victoria’s Secret suspended their affiliate programs with RewardStyle, according to a blog update on the popular influencer platform. 

The change was announced on March 24 in the members-only section of RewardStyle’s website, which was viewed by Business Insider. One brand listed on March 24, Ulta, later reinstated its program with RewardStyle, according to a March 26 email to RewardStyle members.

Bloomingdale’s also adjusted its commission rate to 1% with the platform, according to the March 24 post.

As brands cancel influencer-marketing campaigns or put projects on hold, affiliate revenue has become a growing source of income for some digital creators. RewardStyle saw a spike in sales this month, and noted a 30% increase in the number of influencer campaigns it’s set up in March to drive ecommerce sales for brand partners.

But this bump could be threatened as some retailers suspend their programs.

Influencers who use affiliate programs like RewardStyle earn a commission from a sale through a special link provided by the platform, which leads to a third-party online store. Influencers typically earn between 5% and 20% of an affiliate sale, according to an industry professional in influencer marketing. There are a number of factors that play into the percentage.

Here’s the full list of brands who temporarily suspended their affiliate programs with RewardStyle, according to the March 24 update: 

• Dillard’s (commissionable until 3/30)
• Jos. A Bank
• Macy’s
• Patagonia
• Ralph Lauren
• Slam Jam
• The Men’s Warehouse
• The Real Real
• TJ Maxx
• Victoria’s Secret

Ulta was originally included in the March 24 list, but reinstated its RewardStyle program as of March 26, according to a RewardStyle email sent out to members, which was viewed by Business Insider.

The email reads: “Our Brand Partnerships team has been tirelessly working over the last day and we are happy to inform you we’ve secured ULTA back on the platform at an up to 15% commission rate! You are able to begin linking now.” 

RewardStyle is one of the most popular affiliate programs for influencers. It’s unclear whether these temporary suspensions are only with RewardStyle or impact all affiliate programs.

Ralph Lauren and Patagonia have suspended some fulfillment operations, according to each of their websites, which could have contributed to the affiliate suspensions. 

RewardStyle did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. The Real Real and The Men’s Warehouse declined to comment. Macy’s, Ulta, Patagonia, Victoria’s Secret, Slam Jam, Jos. A Bank, Dillard’s, TJ Maxx, and Ralph Lauren did not respond to requests for comment.

Here is a screenshot of the March 24 update, which has been confirmed by multiple influencers:

Sign up for Business Insider’s influencer newsletter, Influencer Dashboard, to get more stories like this in your inbox.

For more industry updates on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, check these posts on Business Insider Prime:

• Fitness influencers have seen a surge in sales of direct-to-consumer workout services, as brand deals slump amid the coronavirus pandemic: These membership-based programs don’t require any fancy equipment, offered in the form of an app or virtual program online.

• Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty house, where 5 TikTok stars were staying and making videos, is shutting down temporarily due to the coronavirus pandemic: Rihanna’s new TikTok collab house is temporarily closing out of caution due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a spokesperson.

• An influencer-marketing agency made a 68-page report on how the coronavirus could change the industry. Here are the 5 key takeaways.: The average cost of sponsored content may drop, according to a recent report, depending on the length of the coronavirus and its overall impact.

• Instagram and YouTube stars are shifting strategies as some influencer-marketing sectors hit a ‘standstill,’ focusing on income streams like directly selling products and online coaching: We spoke to several influencers and industry experts about the impact of the coronavirus on the industry and what new strategies they are applying.

• Coronavirus is ‘impacting all talent’ on Instagram as brands cancel influencer-marketing deals and paid events get put on hold: We spoke to bloggers, travel influencers, and industry experts about the impact of the coronavirus on the influencer industry.

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