Loyalty Marketing

Walmart and Virgin Mobile USA are teaming up on an aggressive effort to grow sales by leveraging the popularity of shared mobile data plans.

The companies have launched the industry’s first no-contract data sharing plans, available exclusively at Walmart.

Walmart is supporting a trio of professional anglers on the competitive fishing circuit this year in an ongoing effort to align itself with sport that resonates with the retailer’s core customers.

The roster of talent Walmart is supporting this year includes 16 year Walmart FLW Tour veteran Mark Rose, 18 year veteran David Dudley and newcomer Nicole Jacobs.

New York - Online specialty apparel retailer Bare Necessities is using the Experian Marketing Suite to plan, manage, execute and optimize all of its customer interactions in real time across any channel, all from within a single system. The Experian platform integrates customer data from any source and channel into an always-fresh central repository or more effective targeting, triggering and personalization of marketing campaigns.

Plano, Texas – Consumers enjoyed a very discounted holiday season. According to a new survey from Alliance Data Survey, there was a 12% increase in the number of consumers saving on holiday purchases using rewards, discount offers and coupons.

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.