Coupons/ Rebates/ Pricing

Rochell Park, N.J. -- Avenue Stores announced it has begun the process to close 96 stores over the next three months. The company previously announced plans to selectively close and consolidate stores in order to finalize a geographic footprint that maximizes profitability and sales growth potential.

Upon completion of the closures, the company will continue to operate more than 300 stores in 34 states, and offer online shopping,

Minneapolis -- Target announced it will now offer shoppers the shopkick app via their smartphones. The service will allow shoppers to earn points for shopping at Target that can be redeemed for a variety of rewards.

“In our test launch, Target guests in seven cities had the opportunity to experience shopkick at Target and we received rave reviews. Now guests nationwide can start earning valuable points just by shopping our stores,” said Bonnie Gross, Target VP marketing and guest engagement.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has joined the Shopkick program, making it the largest retailer to reward its guests for using the app via their smart phones. Target guests nationwide can earn points for shopping at Target that can be redeemed for a variety of rewards.
 

Salisbury, N.C. — Food Lion announced the results of its two-week Hunger Has a Cure campaign.

The campaign, which ran April 4 to April 17, raised more than $500,000, which will support Feeding America's network of local food banks. Feeding America will use the funds to provide 3.7 million meals to those in need. As part of the campaign, customers were given the opportunity to donate $1, $3 or any other amount of their choice at checkout.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion announced the results of its two-week Hunger Has a Cure campaign.

The campaign, which ran April 4 to April 17, raised more than $500,000, which will support Feeding America's network of local food banks. Feeding America will use the funds to provide 3.7 million meals to those in need. As part of the campaign, customers were given the opportunity to donate $1, $3 or any other amount of their choice at checkout.

Nashville, Tenn. -- Kirkland's first-quarter profit dropped 38% amid promotions and price cuts. The company also issued disappointing predictions for the current quarter and full year.

Kirkland’s said it earned $2 million for the quarter ended April 28, down from $3.2 million last year.

Sales rose 3.6% to $97.8 million from $94.4 million. Same-store sales edged down 1.2%.

The home décor chain said it increased marketing to counter a drop in sales.

By Craig McLaughlin, [email protected]

There is a growing trend in the loyalty rewards space -- using reward points as currency, creating a more holistic, streamlined approach to loyalty programs.

New York -- J. Sainsbury Plc is in talks with retailers in the United States and South America to license the technology behind Sainsbury’s Brand Match, a price promise that has fueled sales outperformance, according to a report by Bloomberg.

The Brand Match program ensures shoppers don’t pay more for branded goods such as Coca- Cola at Sainsbury than at competitors by checking more than 14,000 items, including offers and promotions at the point-of-sale. Customers are given a coupon if an item is priced cheaper at a rival.