Loyalty Marketing

San Francisco -- Sephora on Thursday officially unveiled its San Francisco-located Innovation Lab, which will focus on the development of new strategies and technologies for both in-store and mobile shopping. In conjunction with the debut of the Lab, the beauty retailer announced the rollout of four new digital programs:

Irving, Texas – The Michaels Companies Inc. has launched online arts and crafts classes taught by instructors and industry experts through an exclusive partnership with Creativebug, a subscription-based provider of online DIY instruction. Accessible anytime, anywhere, the video classes provide the novice crafter with basic techniques, such as beginning calligraphy and paper crafting, while also teaching more advanced skills and projects.

Michaels is hoping to turn wanna-be crafters into bonafide artists with its new digital education partnership.

The arts and crafts retailer has joined with craft instruction website Creativebug to offer online arts and crafts classes taught by top instructors and industry experts through an exclusive partnership with Michaels.

Modesto, Calif. -- Lucky and Save Mart announced the launch of a rewards program driven by an integrated smartphone platform targeted to fit into the busy lifestyle of today’s shopper.

Named appropriately for each banner, Save Mart shoppers can start using the “Save Smart” program starting March 4 at stores throughout Sacramento, the Central Valley and Reno. “Lucky You” will launch in Bay Area Lucky stores on March 18.

Kmart and Best Buy are among the retailers that helped St. Jude’s Hospital raise more than $100 million for the second year in a row.

Kmart led all fundraising for St. Jude’s once again at $17.5 million, bringing its grand total to date to $76 million. Best Buy saw its campaign increase from nearly $1 million in 2013 to $9.7 million.

Oak Brook, Ill. – Ace Hardware is trying to make the bleary month of March as colorful as possible for consumers. Ace has launched 31 Days of Color, a month-long omnichannel consumer program featuring daily paint color selections alongside expert design advice and daily giveaways, as well as a nationwide paint makeover sweepstakes.

Every day in March, Ace is unveiling a "Color of the Day" selected from Ace's Clark+Kensington and Valspar paint lines. In addition, Ace’s design experts are providing daily color and design tips.

By Hyaat Chaudhary, CEO, Carbon Media Group

At a time when the traditional separation between online and brick-and-mortar retailers is blurring, brands need to be smarter to win on the digital front. The ability to establish a presence online — and to capitalize on digital marketing and promotions driven by social media and other online tools — is no longer a luxury: it is a necessity.

Denver -- The Running Specialty Group (RSG), a division of The Finish Line, has expanded its presence in the New York City area with the addition of JackRabbit Sports, consisting of four locations. Additionally, JackRabbit owner and founder, Lee Silverman, will join RSG’s leadership team in Denver as senior VP of brand strategy.