Content about Marketing

September 6, 2012
Safeway outlines three future growth platforms: Wellness, loyalty and fuel

Safeway will package $150 million in real healthcare savings into an overall wellness strategy to be implemented over the course of 2013, the grocer's chairman and CEO Steve Burd told analysts Thursday morning at the Goldman Sachs 19th Annual Global Retailing Conference.

NEW YORK — Safeway will package $150 million in real healthcare savings into an overall wellness strategy to be implemented over the course of 2013, the grocer's chairman and CEO Steve Burd told analysts Thursday morning at the Goldman Sachs 19th Annual Global Retailing Conference. 

September 6, 2012
Walgreens announces early enrollment for its Balance Rewards loyalty program available online

Walgreens on Thursday announced that customers can begin online enrollment into its new customer loyalty program, Balance Rewards.

 DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Thursday announced that customers can begin online enrollment into its new customer loyalty program, Balance Rewards. Customers who join online before the official program launch on Sept. 16 will have a chance to enter the Walgreens 10 Million Point Giveaway sweepstakes. 

September 5, 2012
Amid customer complaints, Walmart cuts layaway fee

After announcing it would move up its layaway program for the holiday season to mid-September, Walmart said it also would reduce the program fee from $15 to $5.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — After announcing it would move up its layaway program for the holiday season to mid-September, Walmart said it also would reduce the program fee from $15 to $5.

September 5, 2012
Original SoupMan makes national debut

SoupMan said it is bringing a line of shelf-stable soups to retailers nationwide.

NEW YORK — SoupMan said it is bringing a line of shelf-stable soups to retailers nationwide.

September 4, 2012
Survey: BTS shopping shows surge in coupon use

A survey released by coupon site RetailMeNot found that coupon use for back-to-school shopping surged this year, particularly for retailers selling books, school supplies and apparel.

AUSTIN, Texas — A survey released by coupon site RetailMeNot found that coupon use for back-to-school shopping surged this year, particularly for retailers selling books, school supplies and apparel.

According to RetailMeNot, which measured coupon usage during the July 1 to Aug. 20 selling period, as compared with the prior three months, the average daily coupon clicks increased more than 130% for book retailers, more than 40% for merchants selling back-to-school supplies and more than 30% for stores selling apparel and shoes.

August 30, 2012
Kroger extends fuel savings promo to December

Kroger announced that its customers can enjoy their summer fuel savings through December.

CINCINNATI — Kroger announced that its customers can enjoy their summer fuel savings through December.

Customers now will be able to earn and redeem their fuel points to save up to $2 off per gallon at Kroger family of stores fuel centers through Dec. 31, a three-month extension of the current promotion. Customers will continue to earn and redeem up to 2,000 fuel points through regular purchases and special offers. The company also noted that its promotion doubles the maximum points redeemable for a discount.

August 29, 2012
Nielsen: Intent to buy food, beverages online continues to grow

Global consumers' intent to buy food and beverages online has jumped 44% in two years, and more than one-quarter (26%) said they planned to purchase food and beverage products by way of a device with Internet access — such as a computer, mobile phone or tablet — in the next three to six months, according to Nielsen.

NEW YORK — Global consumers' intent to buy food and beverages online has jumped 44% in two years, and more than one-quarter (26%) said they planned to purchase food and beverage products by way of a device with Internet access — such as a computer, mobile phone or tablet — in the next three to six months, according to Nielsen.

August 28, 2012
Supervalu to implement LoyaltyOne's Precima customer-centric analytics solution

In an effort to develop a multidimensional customer segmentation, Supervalu has signed on to use a LoyaltyOne's customer-centric analytics solution, LoyaltyOne announced.

TORONTO — In an effort to develop a multidimensional customer segmentation, Supervalu has signed on to use a LoyaltyOne's customer-centric analytics solution, LoyaltyOne announced.

LoyaltyOne said its Precima customer segmentation software will use customer data to help Supervalu better understand its customers and classify them in a way that translates into actionable insights. These insights can drive improvements with a goal of being more responsive to customer needs.

August 27, 2012
Delhaize Group selects in-store software provider

Delhaize Group has enlisted the services of Retalix for in-store software for Delhaize Group's 3,300 locations — including more than 20,000 point-of-sale terminals — across Eurasia and the United States.

RA'ANANA, Israel — Delhaize Group has enlisted the services of Retalix for in-store software for Delhaize Group's 3,300 locations — including more than 20,000 point-of-sale terminals — across Eurasia and the United States.

August 27, 2012
Mobeam, ProLogic enter strategic partnership to enable digital coupons on mobile devices

Mobeam and ProLogic are joining forces to enable the processing of digital coupons on mobile devices.

SAN FRANCISCO — Mobeam and ProLogic are joining forces to enable the processing of digital coupons on mobile devices.

The partnership will combine Mobeam's light-based beaming technology and ProLogic's digital coupon clearing solution to create a completely digitized coupon system for consumers and retailers. Consumers can acquire and digitally redeem coupons, while retailers can digitally process and clear the coupon to complete the transaction loop.

August 27, 2012
Survey: Consumers may get early start on holiday shopping due to economic outlook

It seems that consumers' outlook on the economy is influencing how they will shop this upcoming holiday season, according to a new survey.

AUSTIN, Texas — It seems that consumers' outlook on the economy is influencing how they will shop this upcoming holiday season, according to a new survey.

August 24, 2012
Walgreens weeks away from entering the loyalty program market with Balance Rewards

Details of Walgreens' new loyalty card — Balance Rewards — that's debuting next month were revealed in a New York Times report.

NEW YORK — Details of Walgreens' new loyalty card — Balance Rewards — that's debuting next month were revealed in a New York Times report published Friday.

Leading that effort is Graham Atkinson, who joined Walgreens in 2011 from his position of president United Airlines Mileage Plus.

The card makes its official debut Sept. 16, though Walgreens will be encouraging first-adopters to sign on earlier in September for a chance to win 10 million rewards points, the report noted.

August 21, 2012
Study: Discounts as low as 2.5% sway shoppers to leave stores, purchase online

Forty-five percent of customers shopping in-store at brick-and mortar-locations will walk out and complete their purchase online for a discount as low as 2.5%, according to new showrooming research from GroupM Next.

ST. LOUIS — Forty-five percent of customers shopping in-store at brick-and mortar-locations will walk out and complete their purchase online for a discount as low as 2.5%, according to new showrooming research from GroupM Next.

This number jumps to 60% of shoppers who will leave and purchase a product online for a savings of 5%. When discovering an online discount of 20%, a small percentage of shoppers (13%) stay and complete their purchase in store.

August 20, 2012
Giant-Carlisle introduces healthy-food checkout lanes

Eight supermarkets in the Richmond, Va., area are using one of the most important parts of the store to promote healthy eating: the checkout lane.

RICHMOND, Va. — Eight supermarkets in the Richmond, Va., area are using one of the most important parts of the store to promote healthy eating: the checkout lane.

Martin's Food Markets, part of the Ahold USA's Giant-Carlisle chain, announced it had partnered with the Richmond City Health District and Greater Richmond Fit4Kids in launching "Healthy Ideas" checkout lanes at the stores. Items will include fruit, nuts, snack packs from the store's Nature's Promise natural and organic section, nutrition bars and 100% fruit juice.

August 20, 2012
Reports: SpotOn rolls out tablet-based loyalty program network

A new network allows customers to use tablets to participate in customer loyalty programs, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — A new network allows customers to use tablets to participate in customer loyalty programs, according to published reports.

MediaPost reported that SpotOn, a San Rafael, Calif.-based company that develops customer loyalty platforms, rolled out its network Friday, with about 1,500 independent and regional chain retailers; the network had previously been under development for more than a year. Most of the retailers are in the Atlanta area, Texas, Arizona, California and the Midwest, but that it's adding about 500 new ones per month.

August 17, 2012
Consumer channel surfing has dollar channel and club riding bigger waves

Consumers shop as many as seven retail channels in pursuit of the best value, SymphonyIRI Group reported Wednesday.

CHICAGO — Consumers shop as many as seven retail channels in pursuit of the best value, SymphonyIRI Group reported Wednesday.

August 16, 2012
Rite Aid to roll out Load2Card for +UPs in loyalty program

Members of Rite Aid's loyalty card program will have special reward points added to their cards automatically starting next month, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Members of Rite Aid's loyalty card program will have special reward points added to their cards automatically starting next month, the retail pharmacy chain said Thursday.

Beginning Sept. 2, Wellness+ members will have +UPs loaded to their cards automatically. +UPs are special rewards earned when certain items or groups of items are purchased and can be used like cash toward future purchases. Rite Aid COO Ken Martindale said the national rollout of the Load2Card feature for +UPs would follow a seven-month pilot in four cities.

August 9, 2012
NRF initiative takes on challenges of mobile retailing

The National Retail Federation, in partnership with its member companies, has launched a new initiative to address the challenges and opportunities of mobile retailing.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation, in partnership with its member companies, has launched a new initiative to address the challenges and opportunities of mobile retailing.

August 8, 2012
Report: Safeway bids farewell to gas discount program

Safeway shoppers looking to save at the pump this summer and beyond no longer will be able to, according to published reports.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway shoppers looking to save at the pump this summer and beyond no longer will be able to, according to published reports.

August 8, 2012
Survey: Consumers more willing to disclose data to retailers than social networks

Consumers are more comfortable sharing data with retailers than they are with social networks, especially if it enhances the shopping experience, according to a recent survey conducted by the E-tailing Group and MyBuys.

SAN MATEO, Calif. — Consumers are more comfortable sharing data with retailers than they are with social networks, especially if it enhances the shopping experience, according to a recent survey conducted by the E-tailing Group and MyBuys.

August 7, 2012
Rite Aid joins Univision-led prescription discount network

Rite Aid has joined a prescription discount card program for Hispanics, the group offering the card said Tuesday.

NEW YORK — Rite Aid has joined a prescription discount card program for Hispanics, the group offering the card said Tuesday.

Effective immediately, Rite Aid stores will accept the UnivisionFarmacia card, distributed by a partnership between media company Univision Enterprises, EnvisionRxOptions and HolaDoctor. The UnivisionFarmacia network includes more than 32,000 pharmacies around the country. Members receive discounts of up to 85% on generic drugs, with an average savings of 40% across brand and generic drugs, the group said.

August 3, 2012
Kmart offering savings for BTS season

Kmart announced it is providing its customers with back-to-school offers.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart announced it is providing its customers with back-to-school offers.

Until Aug. 18, the retailer said its shoppers will receive 5% off new in-store layaway purchases and noted that online shoppers also can utilize online layaway or shop online and pick up items in stores. Kmart also said for the back-to-school season, its Shop Your Way loyalty program is offering the following deals:

July 31, 2012
Deloitte: Restrictive BTS spending no more

Days of cutting back-to-school spending are over, as nearly 9-in-10 consumers plan to spend the same or more, according to Deloitte's annual back-to-school survey.

NEW YORK — Days of cutting back-to-school spending are over, as nearly 9-in-10 consumers plan to spend the same or more, according to Deloitte's annual back-to-school survey.

July 31, 2012
L'Oreal USA selects Clarabridge for social media listening initiative

Beauty brand L'Oréal USA is leveraging Clarabridge, a provider of sentiment and text analytics for customer experience management, to monitor what is being said in real time about its 27 brands across social media outlets, including website reviews, product reviews, blogs, Twitter and Facebook.

RESTON, Va. — Beauty brand L'Oréal USA is leveraging Clarabridge, a provider of sentiment and text analytics for customer experience management, to monitor what is being said in real time about its 27 brands across social media outlets, including website reviews, product reviews, blogs, Twitter and Facebook.

The move will enable L'Oréal USA to automatically route consumer insight to the right people and more effectively engage with its consumers.

July 30, 2012
Buyer impulse still strong

Shoppers still are purchasing on impulse at the front end of the store. Data from SymphonyIRI Group indicated that more than half of consumers make unplanned purchases upon seeing products or deals in the store — a percentage that has remained unchanged during the past 18 months.

Shoppers still are purchasing on impulse at the front end of the store. Data from SymphonyIRI Group indicated that more than half of consumers make unplanned purchases upon seeing products or deals in the store — a percentage that has remained unchanged during the past 18 months. In a recent survey of more than 1,500 consumers, 46% said they made an unplanned purchase during their most recent trip to the drug store. (For complete results, visit DrugStoreNews.com/c2b-mobile-insights)