Content about Loyalty program

PITTSBURGH — Giant Eagle last month launched an app for users of Android devices that's tied to the grocer's loyalty program. So far, the app has been downloaded as many as 5,000 times.

The app enables shoppers to peruse the weekly ad circular on their mobile phones or computers. The grocer's eOffers (digital coupons) can be added to the customer's Giant Eagle Advantage Card.

NEW YORK — Consumer loyalty isn't driven by rewards programs but shopping experiences that create strong psychological connections, according to a new report from PwC.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target shoppers have a new incentive for joining the retailer's REDcard Rewards loyalty program: free shipping on Target.com.

What's more, Target debit cards now can be used on Target.com, the company said.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Sales at Safeway are looking up thanks in large part to fuel gains, but the grocer's loyalty card program is expected to continue driving that sales momentum into next year as the company rolls out its Just for U digital marketing platform and explores health-and-wellness initiatives.

Helena Foulkes, one of the brightest, fastest-rising stars of the retail pharmacy industry for more than a decade, earlier this year assumed the newly created position of EVP and chief healthcare strategy and marketing officer.


ORLANDO, Fla. — Winn-Dixie on Wednesday expanded its Fuelperks! rewards program throughout central Florida, incorporating 62 Winn-Dixie stores in Orlando and Daytona, Fla., areas into the program.

As part of the program, the Winn-Dixie customer reward card has been redesigned to include a magnetic stripe on the back, similar to a debit or credit card.

TORONTO — Safeway and Wegmans ranked highest across all customer service elements, according to a survey by Empathica.

Empathica, a customer experience management solution-provider, polled more than 16,000 consumers, and found that operations and merchandise were the two most important elements in grocery shopping versus other elements, such as promotions, people and technology.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — According to Winn-Dixie's chief Peter Lynch, Winn-Dixie is riding a strong headwind into fiscal 2012 powered by a number of influencers, including a marketing program that better sustains margins, its loyalty program Fuelperks!, an improved stocking system and a significant focus on improving the customer experience.

WESTPORT, Conn. — TCC has been granted a global license for retail loyalty promotions to Rovio's Angry Birds franchise, TCC recently announced.

The multi-year agreement provides TCC with worldwide rights to the Angry Birds franchise in a wide range of distribution channels, including supermarkets and hypermarkets, drug stores, health and beauty chains, newspaper and newspaper kiosks, fuel chains and convenience stores.

The deal was brokered by TCC USA's VP marketing and licensing Nicole Piper.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Purchase frequency in the drug channel is up 6.7%. Sounds good, right? More shoppers buying more often — that's the end-game, isn't it? Except not so fast, because the real question is whether or not higher frequency of purchases actually translates into greater revenue streams. And, given the rocky road that America's now-you-see-it-now-you-don't recovery has traveled of late, more shoppers may in fact be buying more often, but they actually may be spending less. 

NEW YORK — Discount stores will continue to dominate as the destination for the majority of consumers’ back-to-school dollars this year, according to a survey by Accenture on parents’ back-to-school shopping plans.

The majority of parents (59%) will spend between $100 and $500 on back-to-school shopping this year, with 21% of consumers saying they plan to spend more than $500 this year. That’s down from 28% in 2010, indicating a decline in spending on the big-ticket items for school.

LONDON — British retailer Tesco will launch its loyalty card program in the United States, according to published reports.

Tesco reportedly is launching the program in an effort to make a profit on its Fresh & Easy stores on the West Coast. The stores, which opened in 2007, have had difficulty turning a profit. The company now operates 175 stores, but has continued losing money.

The new card will allow customers to win points when they use it, much like loyalty cards it offers in the United Kingdom and other markets.