Loyalty Marketing

New York – Macy’s Inc. beat Wall Street expectations with profits of $224 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, up 3.2% from $217 million in the same quarter the prior year.

Earnings rose even as sales fell 1.7% to $6.38 billion, from $6.39 billion. Same-store sales declined 0.8%. Increased operating income and decreased cost of sales helped boost net income, while severe winter weather took a toll on sales.

San Diego - While showrooming, the process of researching in-store before buying online, remains popular among 76% of consumers, the emerging trend of webrooming, or researching online before buying in-store, is even more common, representing 88% of shoppers. According to “The Rise of Webrooming: A Changing Consumer Landscape,” a report from Interactions, 75% of webroomers believe they can find the lowest in-store price, while 72% prefer online product comparisons and 71% prefer online product research.

Westlake Village, Calif. - Senior retail marketers report that 38% of their total marketing spend is now devoted to digital. According to a research study released by Conversant, nearly 20% of retail marketers reported that digital accounts for 50% to 75% of their total marketing budget.

The new study found strong retailer interest in personalized marketing and advertising. Eighty-six percent of senior retail marketers said that individualized messages can be more effective than mass messages.

Michaels has enhanced its online presence with the launch of its new site that enables shoppers to make online purchases from any computer, tablet or smartphone.

The new site goes beyond the typical online shopping experience, according to the company, with project ideas and one-click shopping lists for projects all in one place. It also features "Favorite Pins" — projects and products that are trending on Pinterest from Michaels.com.

Whirlpool is taking its latest campaign to social media, and encouraging people to take and share photos of the inside of their refrigerators using hashtag #fridgie — a play on “selfie.”

The concept was inspired by the design of the latest Whirlpool 4-Door French Door Refrigerator.

Irving, Texas - Michaels has launched its new “inspirational” arts and crafts site that offers 24-hour shopping on any computer, tablet or smartphone. The new site offers project ideas and one-click shopping lists for projects.

It also features "Favorite Pins" – projects and products that are trending on Pinterest from Michaels.com. During the launch period, Michaels.com will feature 21 days of hourly, daily and weekly online specials.

American Express has revealed the winners of its “Epic Everyday Getaway” contest. More than 7,000 Americans submitted snapshots and selfies along with a short story describing their favorite every moments with the aptly named hashtag #EveryDayMoments.

Each winner and a guest will get their own “VIP” treatment when they head to New York June 18-21, for a three-day trip that includes:

Interactions, a leading global integrated sales and marketing programs developer, has appointed David Zierman as director of insights.
 
Based in San Diego, Zierman will lead the company’s market research efforts including managing primary data collected via Mystery Shopping, Customer Intercept Surveys, Web Based Surveys, electronic customer satisfaction surveys (bottom of the receipt surveys) and Retail Audits. He will be responsible for the organization’s P&L as well as business development and operations.