Digital Marketing

Whole Foods Market is preparing to roll out a rewards program nationwide amid increasing competition for its shippers. .   Coinciding with the company’s “strategy around leading a race to the top in terms of a differentiated customer experience,” the grocer plans to launch the rewards program in 2017, Whole Foods’ CEO John Mackey said in the company’s earnings call on Wednesday, Nov. 2. He did not reveal a specific start-date.  

U.S. shoppers expect to spend more this holiday season, but also to drive a harder bargain, demanding more competitive pricing and an enhanced shopping experience  

Barneys New York named Josh Lieberman as its executive VP of digital.   Lieberman, who was previously senior VP of digital marketing, will oversee the enterprise’s e-commerce and digital businesses, including all marketing, merchandising, operations, creative and technology.  

Uber wants to put championship gear commemorating the Cubs’ World Series victory into fans’ hands as quickly as possible.   Through a partnership with licensed sports merchandise e-retailer Fanatics, Uber launched a program that enables Cubbies fans to purchase championship hats and t-shirts directly through the ride-hailing app, according to Recode.  

As a teaser for its Thanksgiving Day opening, Kohl’s is launching a one-day Black Friday sale Wednesday, Nov. 3.   Available in-store and on its website, Kohl’s will feature one day of Black Friday deals for shoppers eager to get a jump on their holiday shopping. The program supports its holiday tagline, the “First Place to Stop and Best Place to Shop.” Featured merchandise includes Serta gel memory foam mattresses, 50-inch LED TVs, inflatable hot tubs, and appliances, such as food processors, among other merchandise.

Holiday spending is expected to spike by a solid 4%.   That’s according to the “2016 Holiday Season Forecast,” an annual report from investment firm JLL that is based on responses from 2,800 shoppers across 31 shopping centers.  

Black Friday may be considered one of the biggest shopping events of the year, but interest among consumers continues to dwindle.   Specifically, 31% of respondents in the United States said they have always disliked shopping on Black Friday, and 29% believe it is simply a marketing trick with retailers manipulating pricing to convince consumers they are getting a good deal.   

Architectural firm P+R Architects (Perkowitz + Ruth Architects), based in Long Beach, California, has changed its name to Retail Design Collaborative.   

Under Armour has brought its “brand house” interactive store format to Boston, opening a location at the Prudential Center.   With nearly 19,000-sq.-ft. of retail space across two floors, the store delivers an immersive, engaging brand experience enhanced by state-of-the-art digital displays designed to both inform and inspire.