Marketing Tactics

Bentonville, Ark. -- The Walton Family Foundation revealed Wednesday that it will donate $50 million to Teach For America, a commitment that stands to nearly double the size of the organization’s teaching ranks.

The charity that was created by the founder of Wal-Mart Stores will mete out half of the funds over a three-year period, and will increase the number of teachers to 15,000 by 2015. The remaining half of the donation will support the training of existing Teach for America instructors in seven communities.

WEST BRIDGEWATER, Mass. — Supervalu banner Shaw's has implemented the Nutrition iQ program in its stores.

The Nutrition iQ program, which was developed and implemented in collaboration with dietitians from Joslin Clinic, features color-coded icons on shelf tags and signs that serve as at-a-glance cues to help shoppers identify and find healthy food options. The program arrives in stores this week and will be accompanied by an advertising and promotions campaign to educate consumers.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s Department Stores announced that it has awarded 10 students, ranging in age from 10 to 17, with a total of $10,000 in scholarship money for post-secondary education. In addition to the scholarships, Kohl’s will donate $1,000 to a nonprofit organization of each winner’s choice. 

Chain Store Age is conducting a brief survey designed to take retailers' "new" media temperature. Together with shopping center owner Forest City Enterprises and research firm Alexander Babbage, Chain Store Age is surveying our retail readership to find out what retailers nationwide are doing in terms of social, mobile and other digital media initiatives.

NEW YORK — Barnes & Noble announced that Miwa Messer has been named director of the Discover Great New Writers program. Established in 1990, the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers program has championed new talent and been a showcase for our commitment to new writers, the company reported.

New York City -- Chain Store Age is conducting a brief survey designed to take retailers’ “new” media temperature. Together with shopping center owner Forest City Enterprises and research firm Alexander Babbage, Chain Store Age is surveying our retail readership to find out what retailers nationwide are doing in terms of social, mobile and other digital media initiatives.

Minneapolis -- Supervalu president and CEO Craig Herkert on Tuesday spoke of the company’s “hyper-local retailing” concept during a conference call with analysts and reported by Retailing Today.

Supervalu’s commitment to growing its Save-A-Lot discount banner and its participation in First Lady Michelle Obama’s Partnership for a Healthier America campaign were other significant programs Herkert believes will help differentiate the grocer enough to drive trips and increase consumer loyalty.

Seattle -- AccessVia announced Tuesday that Casual Male DXL is printing color shelf-edge product signs using AccessVia Web dSignShop.

Signs are printed in the store on an as-needed basis, allowing the retailer to produce full-color sign designs immediately on-site.