Content about Marketing

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. — Walmart is expanding the number of locations that carry Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal, the manufacturer has announced.

Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal products have been available in select Walmart stores for nearly two decades, but beginning this month, the all-natural, fragrance-free roll-on will be available in all 3,747 Walmart locations.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar reported Monday a comparable-store sales increase of 5.1% for the second quarter ended Feb. 26. Net sales for the quarter increased 8.3% to $2.26 billion, from $2.09 billion last year. According to the retailer, warmer weather earlier in the year, as well as strong performance in its consumables and seasonal categories, helped drive sales.

ATLANTA — Meda Consumer Healthcare recently was named the grand winner of the MAX Awards for excellence in marketing for the relaunch of Bifera, an over-the-counter supplement that offers two types of iron — protein- and plant-based.

Presented by Georgia State University's Robinson College of Business Department of Marketing and the Atlanta Business Chronicle, the MAX Awards honored outstanding marketing innovations developed or launched by Georgia companies in 2010.

A funny thing happened on the way to the cash register. A coveted diabetic shopper intent on saving money saw promotions that resonated with value. She was hooked.

On this trip, promotions influenced her to expand her basket from just insulin to related care items, foot cream and a sugar-free treat. It was as if the retailer and suppliers completely understood her daily regimen, lifestyle, shopping behaviors, willingness to spend and purchase triggers. Indeed, they did.

How? They mastered the process of promotion optimization.

MINNEAPOLIS — February same-store sales at Target advanced 1.8%, thanks to the addition of fresh food and consumables that are part of an aggressive remodeling program causing more people to shop its stores.

The company said more than half of its February same-store sales gain were driven by an increase in transactions combined with a small increase in the average transaction size. The 1.8% gain comes on top of a 2.4% increase in February 2010.

SALISBURY, N.C. — The push of private label at retail continues to gain momentum as Food Lion kicked off a promotion whereby shoppers can earn up to $10 in free groceries every time they buy private-brand products.

The promotion, dubbed the Private Brand Super Sale, begins March 2 and runs through March 29.

Each time customers shop at Food Lion during the Private Brand Super Sale and purchase at least four Food Lion or Home 360 products using their Food Lion MVP card, they earn a money-saving coupon.

GRAPEVINE, Texas — A member-owned cooperative has inked a deal with a technology company that develops and provides integrated data-driven solutions for healthcare inventory logistics.

Topco said it selected Supplylogix to provide pharmacy inventory management and demand forecasting services, which will improve inventory positions and forecast demand for more than 60,000 pharmaceutical products sold across more than 1,000 pharmacy locations nationwide.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway has promoted Mir Aamir to lead Safeway’s loyalty programs and oversee digital and mobile efforts related to loyalty.

Aamir will serve as customer loyalty and digital technologies president, reporting to Diane Dietz, EVP and chief marketing officer. Aamir also will continue to be responsible for marketing strategies, shopper analytics and insights, club card strategies and pricing.

ALLEGAN, Mich. — Perrigo on Friday named Lynden Johncock to the post of trade promotion manager with the sales department. In this combined marketing and sales role, Johncock will act as a liaison between customers and Perrigo to ensure effective exchange of ideas for business and product line growth.

SAN FRANCISCO — Health Mart, McKesson’s network of more than 2,700 independently owned pharmacies, on Tuesday announced that the franchise was recognized in the J.D. Power "2011 Customer Service Champions" report.

CHICAGO — The Promotion Optimization Institute will be hosting its Trade Promotion Optimization Summit here from March 13 to 15. It’s a three-day educational seminar for both supplier and retail executives responsible for pricing, trade marketing, sales and operations planning, merchandising and promotions.

NEW YORK — TeleBrands, a developer of "As Seen On TV" products, has introduced three new innovations.

The lineup includes:

• Pasta Boat, a 5-in-1 pasta cooker that cooks, strains, serves, steams and serves. Complete with stay-cool handles, the steamer rack can be used to steam potatoes or vegetables right in the microwave. Pasta Boat cooks pasta in approximately 18 minutes and carries a suggested retail price of $9.99;