Loyalty Marketing

Barnes & Noble is trying to attract more educators to its stores by hosting a week of appreciation days in April.

During its Spring Educator Appreciation Days from April 11-19, Barnes & Noble will offer pre-K-12 public, private and homeschool educators and administrators special discounts, events, sweepstakes and giveaways.

Special discount offerings include:

Austin, Texas -- Christopher & Banks Corp. has selected Epicor Retail solutions (from Epicor Software Corp.) to streamline operations and support its omnichannel "customer first" strategy.

The retailer plans to leverage a broad solution set that includes Epicor QuantiSense retail business intelligence and analytics and Epicor ShopVisible order management and digital commerce solutions.

Baltimore - Retail was the largest vertical on the Millennial Media mobile advertising platform in 2014, followed by telecommunications and entertainment. According to the Millennial Media Scorecard for Mobile Advertising Reach and Targeting (S.M.A.R.T.) report, retail saw 49% year-over-year growth on the Millennial Media platform in 2014.

Hingham, Mass. – Talbots Inc. has signed an extension to a long-term agreement to continue receiving private label credit card services from Alliance Data Systems Corp. Talbots operates nearly 500 stores throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Armonk, N.Y. – There is a significant perception gap between how well businesses think they are marketing and the actual customer's experience. A U.S. study of 276 marketers and more than 1,100 consumers, developed by Econsultancy for IBM found that almost 90% of marketers agree that personalizing the customer experience is critical to their success.

Despite this widespread agreement, nearly 80% of consumers stated that the average brand doesn't understand them as an individual.

Decatur, Ill. - Decatur Earthmover Credit Union has selected the Buzz Points merchant-funded loyalty program. Buzz Points is free for consumers and allows credit union members to earn rewards by using their debit cards for everyday shopping.   

Dick's Sporting Goods and Golf Galaxy are teaming up to support an organization that promotes youth participating in golf.

The retailers said they will be giving as much as $1 million to the First Tee, an organization focused on positive youth development through the game of golf.

Books-A-Million is trying to increase brand loyalty with two new omnichannel marketing campaigns celebrating customers.

During the month of April, the retailer will host Customer Appreciation Month. The campaign kicks off with Educator Week on April 4 and wraps up with Geek Week, which will offer Stars Wars events and comic book giveaways.

The PGA Tour Superstore is looking to leverage the popularity of golfer Rickie Fowler with a new marketing campaign.

Fowler, one of the PGA Tour’s rising young stars, will help the retailer introduce a multi-faceted Custom Fit Campaign and Meet Rickie promotion.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. - Dollar General is helping customers spring into savings with the launch of its spring Fast Way to Save digital coupon program. Fast Way to Save offers customers approximately $200 each week in total online coupon savings through April 19.

Customers will see additional weekly specials on dozens of discounts on Easter merchandise and a buy-one, get-one free sale on select apparel and accessories.