Marketing Tactics

NAPERVILLE, Ill. - OfficeMax announced it has launched a new enhanced 2.0 version of its free for the iPhone App on the App Store and is making the App available on Google's Android platform. The 2.0 version gives users the ability to view OfficeMax's weekly ad and special offers -- all right from their mobile device.  OfficeMax also added local store hours and phone numbers to the App's GPS-enabled store locator function.

Purchase, N.Y. -- Retail growth in December sales was robust across many categories, further building on November’s positive results, with some performing at better than pre-recession levels, according to MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse, which tracks national retail and services sales.

Reston, Va. -- Retail e-commerce spending for the entire November -- December 2010 holiday season reached $32.6 billion, marking a 12% increase versus last year and an all-time record for the season, according to comScore.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid on Tuesday announced its partnership with BL Body, a collection of shape wear exclusively available in Rite Aid stores, on a sweepstakes with a first prize trip for two to the location of the reality program “The Biggest Loser.”

Rite Aid is taking sweepstake entries through Jan. 22 for the $4,000-grand prize. Second prize is a year's membership for two to the Biggest Loser Club online weight loss program, a $479 value.

New York City -- A report released Tuesday by the International Council of Shopping Centers and Goldman Sachs Group said that U.S. retail sales are up 3.6% on a year-over-year basis.

Same-store sales at a selection of U.S. retailers rose 0.4% from the week ended Jan. 1 from the prior week, the groups also said.

CINCINNATI - Macy's Inc. has announced a series of organizational expansions, totaling approximately 725 new positions over the next two years, to support the growth of macys.com and bloomingdales.com. 

Retail executives are invited to introduce their rising stars to the industry’s leading store development and facilities event -- SPECS, which will be held March 13-16, 2011, at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas. Qualified senior executives and their future leaders will receive FREE registration to this year’s show.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer last week announced its donation of 35 reconditioned semi-tractors to local food banks, academic organizations and law enforcement throughout the Midwest.

The donation is part of the chain's ongoing commitment to support the communities it serves, the company said.