Coupons/ Rebates/ Pricing

By Theresa Wabler, [email protected]

As retailers and manufacturers settle into the reality of the “new normal” of shoppers who  will continue their frugal consumption habits amidst recession or not, it’s crucial to employ promotional tactics that generate significant, lasting value, not just a flash in the pan. As marketers consider their options, one tried and true promotional tactic should be included to yield definite results: rebates.

February 2013 marked a declining trend in number of inserts per market for the some retailers, but due to big increases at Macy’s (+48%) and Staples (+100%), the overall count of inserts per market across all retailers was actually up 4.3%. Home Depot (-50.0%) was the only retailer witnessing a major fall, whereas the other retailers showed only minor declines. Of the remaining retailers that did not see a decrease, five had no change in the number of inserts per market, while three (including Macy’s and Staples) increased.

Chicago -- Vibes, a mobile marketing and technology company, announced the results of a successful mobile campaign aimed at engaging and increasing Build-A-Bear Workshop’s customer base through their mobile phones.
 

AUSTIN, Texas — Online coupons site RetailMeNot.com has launched a new online magazine, The Real Deal by RetailMeNot. As the editorial voice of RetailMeNot.com, the lifestyle daily delivers shopping, fashion, beauty, parenting, personal finance and seasonal advice to help consumers get more for their money, so they can get more for their lives.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — DSW Inc. has launched Luxe810.com, a new website located at dsw.com/luxe810 that offers top luxury brands at up to 50% off. The Luxe810 assortment includes shoes, handbags, jewelry, and other accessories for men and women.  Among the brands featured on the site are Gucci, Prada, Bottega Veneta, YSL, Sergio Rossi, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Pucci, Giuseppe Zanotti and more. 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Stein Mart reported that its total sales for the month of February were $85.2 million, an increase of 5.6% over total sales of $80.7 million for the four-week period ended Feb. 25, 2012. Comparable-store sales for the month increased 0.6%.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Birds Eye, a brand of Pinnacle Foods, was invited to share its successful strategy for getting youth to eat their vegetables at the Partnership for a Healthier America's (PHA) 2013 Building a Healthier Future Summit this week, at a time when childhood obesity experts are looking for new approaches and new options to tackle this complex issue.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot is partnering with Real Change Productions to recognize teachers for their positive influence on today’s youth, as well as raise awareness for a donation program benefiting classrooms throughout the country.