Loyalty Marketing

Shoppers are ready to spend this spring thanks to a precipitous decline in gas prices and an expectation that prices will stay low.

A new study suggests that most Americans are optimistic about the economy, thanks to the continuing slide in gas prices. A survey of gas consumers found that 57% of Americans are optimistic, including nearly two-thirds (65%) of those ages 18-34.

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores is targeting customers in the education field with a special promotion and discount.

The fabric and craft specialty retailer will be having a Teacher Appreciation Days savings event Jan. 17-19. All qualifying teachers will be able to take advantage of significant savings on a wide variety of craft supplies and classroom decor items. Teachers will receive 25% off all purchases throughout the event.

By Jim Singer, A.T. Kearney, and Ryan Mathews, Black Monk Consulting

Whole Foods Market plans to cater to the health-focused community of obstacle racers with a new omnichannel partnership.

The natural and organic foods supermarket will connect with consumers via Spartan Race’s “Food of the Day” platform, beginning in 2015. Spartan Race is an obstacle racing company that facilitated over 130 races in 17 countries last year.

New York -- Grocer Heinen’s has teamed with Symphony EYC to adopt customer-driven retailing operations that stretch from shopper, throughout the store and back to the warehouse.

New York -- Retail spending growth for the holiday period totaled 3.2%, and Christmas Eve, not Black Friday, was the busiest spending day of the year. Those are just two of the findings in the First Data SpendTrend annual holiday wrap-up.

The report, which includes only card-based forms of payment, is based on analysis of over 400,000 retail merchant locations across the nation, from Nov. 1, 2014 through Jan. 4, 2015, and had processing activity with First Data for the same period during the previous year.  

From Valentine’s Day to Christmas, the year is filled with big moments for retailers – but a retailer’s strategy should be much more than a numbers game during these times. Rather, these moments present an opportunity to build momentum for the entire year with a 360-degree brand strategy that gives shoppers an unforgettable experience that will keep them coming back.

To maximize the potential benefits of big retail moments throughout 2015, keep these five pillars in mind:

Target is stepping up its efforts to attract new parents to its stores with a new partnership, educational classes and a social media campaign.

Bump Club and Beyond, the nation's largest social event network for new moms, is partnering with Target to present a national series of events designed to help expectant and new parents learn the "basics" of bringing up baby.

Arlington, Va. – Consumers who may need some time to decide if they want to keep a purchase should consider applying for a Discover card. According to the 2015 Credit Card Extension Report from CardHub, Discover Cards received top overall score (98%) for their return extension program.

Coming in second and third were Chase Sapphire Preferred (88%), and a tie among Chase Freedom, Barclaycard Arrival and Barclaycard Arrival Plus (79%).

Atlanta – New Year’s resolutions are notoriously hard to keep, and Marble Slab Creamery and MaggieMoo's Ice Cream & Treatery are attempting to make the task even harder for their customers. On Jan. 17, the traditional day consumers give up their resolutions, the chains are offering an omnichannel "Ditch Your New Year's Resolution" promotion.

Customers can visit the Facebook page of either retailer to claim an offer, as well as visit a store to receive a buy-one-get-one-free promotion.