Loyalty Marketing

New York -- Toys “R” Us’ holiday 2012 plans include a “hot toy” reservation program, free and expanded layaway services and offering more exclusive toys from branded manufacturers along with more proprietary products. The nation’s largest specialty toy retailer also will open 150 to 200 temporary locations for the holidays under the Toys “R” Us Express banner.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target announced that it is offering a deluxe edition of Taylor Swift's upcoming fourth album, "Red." The deluxe edition of the album is available only at Target, and includes six bonus tracks (three new songs and three remixes). The exclusive edition of “Red” will be available for pre-order on Sept. 16, and at Target stores and on Target.com starting Oct. 22.

Oak Brook, Ill. -- McDonald’s Corp. reported Tuesday that same-store sales overall increased 3.7% in the month of August.

By segment, same-store sales rose 3% in the U.S., 3.1% in Europe, and a hearty 5.7% in Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa.

Systemwide sales for the month increased 1.2%.
 

PURCHASE, N.Y. — Stop & Shop has expanded its gas rewards programs to customers in New Jersey.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — MasterCard  has acquired Truaxis, Inc., a Silicon Valley, California-based provider of relevant credit and debit card-linked offers to consumers through merchants and financial institutions.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot will auction off items worn by NASCAR driver Tony Stewart to raise money for the Office Depot's National Backpack Program.

Through Sept. 14, fans can bid on an autographed firesuit and helmet worn by Stewart, driver of the No. 14I Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The auction is accessible via www.OfficeDepotRacing.com.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — The trend of doing away with layaway fees continues, this time with Kmart announcing that it has removed its layaway service fee both in stores and online through Nov. 17.

The retailer follows suit with Toys"R"Us, which said it would drop the $5 upfront service fee and eliminate the minimum purchase requirement for all orders created in stores through Oct. 31 and Walmart, which, while not cutting back its layaway fee, has rolled it back to $5 from $15.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens said that customers can begin online enrollment into its new customer loyalty program, Balance Rewards. Customers who join online before the official program launch on Sept. 16 will have a chance to enter the chain’s 10 Million Point Giveaway sweepstakes. 

NEW YORK — Macy’s has raised $4 million for March of Dimes and various charitable organizations across the country as a result of its 2012 “Shop For A Cause” event.