Content about Kmart

MINNEAPOLIS — Despite an overall decrease in free standing insert coupon activity, retailer promotion pages within the FSI vehicles recorded a 30.7% increase to more than 17 billion pages in 2011, continuing the significant annual increases in retailer promotion activity, which began in 2007, Kantar Media reported Wednesday.

Overall, the number of free-standing insert coupons distributed through 2011 dropped 6.5% compared with 2010. This decline in FSI coupon activity followed two consecutive years of annual increases of 8% in 2009 and 7.2% in 2010.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart parent company Sears Holdings hired Ron Boire as EVP, chief merchandising officer and president of Sears and Kmart formats.

Boire, who previously was president and CEO of Brookstone, will lead merchandising and retail stores for both the Sears and Kmart brands.

"He will work with our leadership team to better serve our customers and Shop Your Way Rewards Members by integrating their experiences across our stores, online, services, and mobile capabilities," the company said.

Optimism, skepticism, confidence and concern were among the range of emotions shared by Walmart suppliers who participated in the second annual Walmart Supplier Survey conducted by Drug Store News’ sister publication Connecting Northwest Arkansas.


(To view the full results of the Walmart Supplier Survey, click here.)

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — In line with the unveiling of its Cyber Monday offerings, Kmart parent company Sears Holdings announced the debut of enhanced features across its e-commerce and m-commerce platforms.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears and Kmart have entered the future of staying connected to consumers introducing mobile shopping walls in high-traffic areas.

The shopping walls, which will feature top toys that customers can purchase from their smartphones by scanning the products' QR code, will be available in select malls across the United States, and, for Kmart only, in movie theater lobbies in major markets. Additionally, shoppers can find the Sears and Kmart mobile walls in airports in Chicago, Dallas, Denver and Puerto Rico, and at bus shelters nationwide.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — With the holiday season just around the corner, Sears Holdings is aiming to make shopping more rewarding by offering five times the Shop Your Way Rewards points — equal to 5% back — on all qualifying purchases.

The offer, which is available to all Sears credit cardholders who also are Shop Your Way Rewards members, begins immediately at both Sears and Kmart stores, and will continue year-round at Kmart. Sears is providing the offer until Jan. 28, 2012.

FAIRFIELD, N.J. — Venture Products earlier this week announced a new line of yoga and fitness accessories under its Shock Athletic brand name. These products complement Venture’s existing lineup of yoga mats.

Available in various fashionable colors, the new fitness accessories lineup — being launched at select Sears and Kmart locations nationwide — includes yoga blocks, straps, mat carriers, nonslip socks, towel mats, stability balls, exercise bands and toning tubes.

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. — Ultimark Products has tapped actress Jennie Garth to be the new face of its Porcelana line of skin care products, which is sold in such retailers as Walgreens, Rite Aid, Walmart and Kmart.

Garth, who is perhaps best known from her role in the television hit series “Beverly Hills 90210,” will promote both new and existing Porcelana products and will appear in print advertisements, social media and online marketing.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar announced that it has named Trey Johnson to the newly created position of SVP food.

Johnson will report to Dorlisa Flur, EVP and chief merchandising officer.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart is launching a scholarship fund as part of its recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month.

The mass merchandise retailer announced Thursday the launch of the Latina Smart Fund, promoted through its Latina Smart Facebook page, which will award $25,000 in scholarships to graduating high school seniors and students currently enrolled in college, technical or trade schools.

NEW YORK — Sears and Kmart stores announced that they are supporting emergency relief efforts in a dozen states to help residents recover from Hurricane Irene’s damaging winds and floodwaters.

Sears and Kmart stores will offer discounts on recovery items in stores throughout Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Key discounts include:

Kmart:

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears announced that it is inviting Facebook users to support America's military members by voting for the Sears Rebuilding Together affiliate program, which they believe is the most deserving.

Voting will take place through Sept. 23, and based on total vote tallies, Sears and Rebuilding Together will award 25 overall grants totaling $250,000 to Rebuilding Together affiliates at platinum, gold, silver and bronze levels.