Events

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club announced that it is inviting customers to "try before they buy" and plan their holiday menus at the ninth annual Holiday Taste of Sam's Club event. Showcasing dozens of food and beverage items at multiple sampling booths in each of its 610 Sam's Club locations, the event takes place from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day from Friday Nov. 18 through Sunday Nov. 20.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — As Veterans Day approaches, CVS/pharmacy is reminding all Americans, including veterans, military service members and their families, about the importance of getting a flu shot for protection against the flu.

In addition, to honor military heroes, CVS/pharmacy will donate $3 to the USO for every flu shot given at CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic during the week of Veterans Day, Nov. 6 to 12, up to $50,000.

The nearly 1,000 stores Gap Inc. operates under various nameplates that will be open on Thanksgiving are the latest indication of the extreme measures required of retailers to grow holiday sales during challenging and intensively competitive times.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway has announced its stores raised $14.5 million in October for breast cancer research. The company thanked its customers and employees for their commitment to finding a cure for the most common form of cancer for women.

"We continue to be humbled by the generosity of our customers and the commitment our employees have for the cause," said Larree Renda, EVP Safeway and chair of the Safeway Foundation. "This kind of fundraising outcome will have a real and measurable impact on the science of finding a cure."

By Bryon Morrison, president/Wireless Practice, The Marketing Arm

Can you hear that noise? It is the melodious sound of sleigh bells, phones, and cash registers ringing. The holiday shopping season is almost here and strategies incorporating mobile marketing can expand your database, reaffirm customer loyalty, and usher in new multichannel techniques to make the most of this holiday season — but only if you get your plan into action right now.

Holiday marketing strategy and the current environment

LOS ANGELES — Food 4 Less and Ralphs Grocery announced that they are inviting customers to help support local food banks and families in need through a special fund-raising campaign that kicks off Nov. 6. In addition, Food 4 Less' Foods Co Division is also collecting donations for food banks in Central and Northern California.

San Francisco -- Willams-Sonoma’s PBteen brand will open its first-ever pop-up store in Natick Mall, Natick, Mass., Nov. 4.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Customers who can't wait to get their hands on the latest "Call of Duty" video game are in for some good news courtesy of Walmart. The retailer announced that on Nov. 7 in more than 2,700 stores customers can play "Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3." The event begins at 8 p.m. (local time) and will include tournaments and the chance to win double experience points with every purchase of specially-marked 20-packs of Mountain Dew, exclusively at Walmart.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Big Lots reported that sales for the third quarter ended Oct. 29 were $1.1 billion, an increase of 6% compared with $1 billion for the third quarter of fiscal 2010. Comparable-store sales increased 1.7% for the third quarter of fiscal 2011.  

New York City -- Kohl's Corp. reported a 3.9% rise in same-store sales in October, better than analysts’ expectations, amid strong demand for its new Jennifer Lopez and Mark Anthony brands.

In a statement, CEO Kevin Mansell said that customers responded favorably to the pair of new brands, as well as the company's marketing programs.

“As we enter the important fourth quarter, we plan to continue our investment in marketing, especially digital and broadcast, to drive customer traffic and broaden our reach,” he said.