Coupons/ Rebates/ Pricing

Traffic and conversion troubles led to a same store sales decrease for fashion retailer Bebe in the second quarter.

For the period ended Jan. 2, net sales decreased 5% to $122.4 million, as compared to $128.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2015. The net sales decrease was primarily driven by a comp decrease and store closures. Same store sales decreased 2.5% compared to an increase of 8% in the same period of the prior year. Traffic and conversion declined while average unit retail was flat.

As retail enters a technology-centric, omnichannel era, the good old fashioned coupon remains as important as ever.

According to a new study of 11,000 consumers from digital offers platform RetailMeNot Inc. and ad intelligence provider Placed Inc., more than three in five shoppers actively seek out coupons in preference to other types of promotions.

Retailers are always looking for new promotional opportunities and with the arrival on the Lunar New Year a mall operator in upstate New York hopes to generate shopper traffic with a range of Chinese-inspired activities.

When it comes to e-commerce, the top driver is actually something the experience doesn’t offer.

According to two surveys of online shoppers in the U.S. and Canada conducted by Bizrate Insights, a division of Connexity, in December 2015 and January 2016, a leading 55% of respondents cited the lack of crowds, traffic and hunting for parking as a top reason to buy online. Another 46% said shopping online takes less time than shopping in stores, while 46% also mentioned free shipping.

Rite Aid on Thursday announced a big push behind its unique loyalty card offering wellness+ with Plenti - beginning Jan. 31, Rite Aid is offering its wellness+ with Plenti members the opportunity to earn 5,000 Plenti points when they spend up to $200 on participating products in stores or online. During Rite Aid’s “Big Point Event,” which runs through Feb. 27, customers can make multiple visits and purchases to reach the reward thresholds to earn up to 5,000 Plenti points.

Macy’s is looking to inspire shoppers once again this February with promotional events tied to the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women campaign.

Toys "R" Us is urging shoppers to bring in their recalled and outdated baby items during its annual Great Trade-In event next month at stores nationwide.

The event will take place at Babies "R" Us and Toys "R" Us stores Feb. 1 through Feb. 29. And, new this year, the company's Rewards"R"Us loyalty members can take advantage of early access to the in-store event beginning Jan. 29, by showing their Rewards"R"Us card during checkout.

Toys"R"Us is urging shoppers to bring in their recalled and outdated baby items during its annual Great Trade-In event next month at stores nationwide.

The event will take place at Babies"R"Us and Toys"R"Us stores Feb. 1 through Feb. 29. And, new this year, the company's Rewards"R"Us loyalty members can take advantage of early access to the in-store event beginning Jan. 29, by showing their Rewards"R"Us card during checkout.