Coupons/ Rebates/ Pricing

Los Angeles -- Research results released Monday by PriceGrabber – augmenting its previously released winter holiday shopping survey – revealed that more than half (54%) of consumers plan to spend $500 or more on gifts this season, slightly higher than 2011.

In a demonstration of online channel strength, 75% of respondents selected online retailers when asked to select the types of stores they plan to shop for holiday gifts. Discount stores followed with 74%, and traditional department stores came in third place with 49%.

New York -- A San Diego judge ordered Rite Aid Corp. and its California subsidiary Thrifty PayLess Inc. to pay $800,000 to settle a complaint alleging false advertising, the Associated Press reported.

Prosecutors claimed Rite Aid led consumers to believe they would pay less for items bought using the company's Wellness Card, the report said. However, they were given a coupon and told it was for a future purchase that would expire and was subject to other restrictions.

PITTSBURGH — Giant Eagle is looking to ease the fears of consumers concerned about risig food costs by promising not to raise prices on hundreds of items through the holidays.

Dallas -- Alliance Data Systems Corp., a provider of loyalty and marketing solutions derived from transaction-rich data, announced its Retail Services business has signed a multi-year renewal agreement to continue providing the private label credit card program for multichannel home furnishings retailer Crate and Barrel.

This year, in partnership with Alliance Data, Crate and Barrel introduced a rewards-based credit card that allows customers to earn rewards across all three brands: Crate and Barrel, CB2 and The Land of Nod.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Dollar General is the overall basket price leader, delivering a substantial savings to value shoppers, according to Kantar Retail's second annual opening price point survey. Walgreens, for the second year, had the most expensive total basket, driven by sharply higher edible and nonedible grocery baskets.

Cambridge, Mass. -- Dollar General is the overall basket price leader delivering a substantial savings to value shoppers, according to Kantar Retail’s second annual opening price point (OPP) survey. Walgreens, for the second year, had the most expensive total basket, driven by sharply higher edible and non-edible grocery baskets  

LOS ANGELES — TheGroceryGame.com, the largest grocery savings site in the U.S., is partnering with Coupon Network/Catalina Marketing which provides online printable grocery coupons. Catalina coupons can be obtained by consumers, free of charge in Teri's Coupon Center. Teri's Coupon Center can be found on TheGroceryGame.com.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer is extending its fuel savings program will continue through the holiday, providing Meijer credit card customers with a 10 cent per gallon discount on fuel during the busy travel season.

The Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer's discount program is available at all 180 Meijer gas stations and will run through Jan. 5.