Coupons/ Rebates/ Pricing

Washington, D.C. – The National Retail Federation welcomed a new study that shows retailers have passed along the majority of the savings from debit card swipe fee reform to their customers, and that the resulting increase in consumer spending has boosted job creation across the country.

But the study also shows that benefits for consumers and the economy could have been much larger if the Federal Reserve had set its cap on debit swipe fees lower as directed by Congress.

Los Angeles – Halloween shoppers age 18-34 are seeking online promo and coupon codes. According to the new Trend Report on the shopping behavior of young adults for the upcoming Halloween holiday from BluePromoCode.com, 49% of young adult Halloween shoppers use promo codes when purchasing costumes online and 57% stated their decision to purchase a costume was effected by the availability of a retailer’s coupon code.

ECRM compared retail circular advertising in September 2012 versus September 2013 and noted trends occurring across top retail chains. Home Depot continued to cut circular pages, down 80% year-over-year to only four for September. Despite this, it has continued to dramatically increase the density of its circular, with a 180% increase in ad blocks per page. On the other hand, Lowe’s saw only minor year-over-year changes, with 25% increases in ad blocks per page and per circular.

New York -- Holiday sales will rise 3.4% sales increase, slightly stronger than last year, for the traditional November-December holiday period, even though retailers are expecting a more modest spending season, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Additionally, ICSC anticipates that the other two measures of U.S. industry holiday sales will both increase over last year.

By Chase Cornett, [email protected]

The holiday shopping season is just around the corner and soon consumers will be bombarded with buying guides, floods of emails, deep discounts and, of course, that Black Friday competitive spirit. With all the chaos brought on by the holidays, retailers are finding it harder and harder to stand out. The result — strategies that focus on discounts, deliver low profit margins and drive transactions instead of engaged brand experiences.

Duck Tape brand duct tape is getting ready for Halloween with a product offering that will allow Halloween enthusiasts to jazz up Halloween décor, costumes and crafts and participate in the brand's Stick or Treat Jack-O-Lantern contest.

For the contest, participants can decorate their own real or artificial pumpkin using the palette of Duck Tape colors and designs for a chance to win a $1,000 cash grand prize. Participants can create a classically spooky Jack-O-Lantern or a Halloween-inspired monster.

New York – Barnes & Noble, Inc. is offering Member Appreciation Days, a special savings event for new and current Barnes & Noble loyalty members. Starting Sept. 26 through Sept. 29, members will receive a 20% in-store discount on products in Barnes & Noble stores nationwide including books, gifts, toys, games, movies, and café items.

Members already receive a 10% discount on most purchases, as well as 40% of hardcover books and online savings.

Hill's Science Diet has embarked on a Vets Know Best tour as part of a marketing campaign showcasing the brand’s revamped formulas and packaging for many of its pet foods. 

Washington, D.C. -- Nearly 158 million consumers will participate in Halloween activities this year, slightly less than the historic high of 170 million people last year. New figures from the National Retail Federation (NRF) indicate the average consumer will spend $75.03 on Halloween this year, down 6% from $79.82 last year.

However, average overall spending on Halloween has increased 54.7% since 2005, with total spending estimated to reach $6.9 billion in 2013. Other NRF figures include:

Costa Mesa, Calif. – Almost half of holiday marketing campaigns will start before Halloween, according to a survey of 200 marketers by Experian Marketing Services.

In addition, the study shows that the first 15 days of November are the most popular time to launch a holiday-themed campaign.

Other results include: