Digital Marketing

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.

PORTLAND, Ore. and SEATTLE — Safeway has launched its Just for U online and mobile shopping tool in its Oregon and Washington divisions. Customers in these areas will now be able receive targeted savings to their Safeway Club card by signing up for free online at Safeway.com or accessing Just for U through the new Safeway Mobile App for iPhone or Android.

CAMDEN, N.J. — Campbell's has tapped Walgreens' social media director to lead the soup maker's digital marketing and social media efforts.

WAYNE , N.J. — Toys"R"Us has added QR codes to more than 20 large outdoor items to help customers better visualize how the toy would work and look in their own backyards.

Customers can simply scan the QR code of the product they are interested in with their smartphone to view video footage or images of the item fully set up. Many of the products have corresponding videos that showcase kids playing with these fun summer toys.

Burlington, Mass. -- E-commerce solution-provider Demandware said Wednesday that lifestyle brand Life is good has selected Demandware Commerce as the central platform to support its digital growth strategy.

The steady erosion of newspaper circulations naturally has led many to predict that the printed ad circular is not much long for this world and will quickly disappear as consumers demand more digitized ads and coupons. Last year, the Associated Press, along with 32 other publishers and 30 retailers, launched iCircular to help stave off declining ad revenue.

Lewisville, Texas -- Ninety-five percent of consumers are interested in products that come with rebates and 80% of consumers actively seek out rebate, according to an annual consumer survey by Parago, the largest rebate provider in the United States.

The survey found that consumer preference for rebates versus instant discounts is growing. And while economic recovery may be on its way by the numbers, consumer sentiments around spending are still timid.

WASHINGTON — Tanna Dang, a boutique owner in Honolulu, Hawaii was awarded the top $25,000 prize in the National Retail Federation’s inaugural “This is Retail” video contest. Florida’s Kim Williams of The Polka Dot press came in second place and will take home $15,000 and Illinois’ Susan Kaufman will take home $10,000 for third place. Nearly 1 million votes were cast by the public through NRF’s Retail Means Jobs website to choose the contest winners.