Coupons/ Rebates/ Pricing

New York -- School is just ending in some areas of the Northeast, and already the first back-to-school shopping survey has been released. The survey, by online shopping site PriceGrabber, reveals that nearly half (46%) of consumers are planning to spend more this back-to-school shopping season than in 2011. In comparison, only 13% of shoppers planned to spend more last year, and this data was reflected in an overall disappointing back-to-school season for retailers in 2011.

Overall, this month saw gain in flyer distribution as well as the size of flyer. The largest push of this month came from Walmart with more than 100% increase in flyer drops this month as compared to same month last year. Walmart dropped almost three flyers per market as compared to none in the second week of May this year. Also, a 26-page flyer was dropped in the first week as compared to 12-page flyer previous year.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer is helping its customers save money on gas this summer, the retailer said.

The new discount program, which was made available to Meijer credit customers and runs Sept. 3, provides customers with a 10-cent-per-gallon discount on fuel at all Meijer gas stations, with no minimum fuel purchase required. Customers who don't already have a Meijer credit card can apply at any Meijer store, online at Meijer.com/creditcard or via QR link with their smartphone.

Spending on Father’s Day is projected to total $12.7 billion this year, and Walmart should get a decent portion of that total given its strength in top gift giving categories.

The Nation Retail Federation forecast this week that average spending per person for Father’s Day would increase 10% to $117 per person from $106 last year, further narrowing the gap with Mother’s Day when spending per person averaged $152.

Englewood, Col. -- Sports Authority has announced the launch of its first-ever customer rewards program, The League, which offers members 5% back on their total point balances of 100 points or more earned quarterly.

The program offers one of the highest reward funding rates, as well as the lowest reward threshold amongst leaders in the full-line sporting goods retail industry, allowing members qualify for rewards sooner, the retailer said.
 

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Sports Authority has launched its first-ever customer loyalty program, The League, which offers members 5% back on their total point balances of 100 points or more earned quarterly. 

Mahwah, N.J. -- Furnitureland South, in Jamestown, N.C., has selected TD Retail Card Services to develop and administer its new private label credit card.
 

New York -- With only a few exceptions, retailers are posting solid gains in May, with such chains as Target, TJX, Ross and TJX Cos. beating Wall Street forecasts for the month. The Thomson Reuters Same-Store Index, which tracks the stores that release monthly sales reports, is expected to rise 3.6% in May.

"Analysts are taking a careful approach to May same-store sales given the cautious tone issued by most retailers on second-quarter earnings guidance," said Ken Perkins of Retail Metrics, in a research report.