Loyalty Marketing

Network television is rife with talent shows, and now Whole Foods has jumped on the bandwagon with a unique brand engagement initiative.

CITY OF COMMERCE, Calif. — 99 Cents Only Stores is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Since its founding in 1982, the chain has expanded to 302 extreme value stores in four states consisting of 220 stores in California, 37 in Texas, 29 in Arizona, and 15 in Nevada. As part of the celebration, the company is converting 40 semi-trucks from diesel to clean-burning compressed natural gas. Additionally, the company is offering a free reusable shopping bag to customers who visit the store this weekend and purchase at least $9.99 worth of merchandise.

HOUSTON — Stage Stores has signed an agreement with Alliance Data Retail Services, making it the provider of a full suite of private label credit card services geared toward driving sales and brand loyalty to grow Stage Stores’ customer base. In addition, Alliance Data and Stage Stores will collaborate to develop and launch a new, simplified loyalty program, with enhanced benefits and incentives exclusive to cardholders.

Houston -- Stage Stores and Alliance Data Systems Corp. announced Monday they have forged private-label credit card renewal agreement.

BOISE, Idaho — Albertsons Market has launched a month-long contest asking customers to share their “Best Road Trip. Ever!” through photos, videos and essays on Albertsons Markets’ Facebook fan page for a chance to win a new car.

MISSISSAUGA, ON — Walmart Canada got some key insights into its core shoppers when it surveyed more than 2,000 Canadian moms with children under 18. And while the survey may have targeted Canadian shoppers, the results can easily be applied to shoppers in the United States.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart is responding to changing trends affecting the "back-to-school" experience with a number initiatives designed to meet the needs of its consumers.

According to Kmart, more public schools are requiring uniforms and others are now adopting a year-round school calendar. In response, Kmart has adjusted its approach to back-to-school by increasing the number of stores that sell uniforms and aligning its back-to-school sales periods by region to match that of the local school districts.

By Jundong Song, [email protected]

In mid-June, Safeway, the number three U.S. food retailer after Wal-Mart and Kroger, capped two years of testing in selected markets and rolled out its enhanced reward program, “Just for U,” chain wide.

It’s a key move in loyalty card programs that all retailers should be watching.

QUINCY, Mass. — Customers in the Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Connecticut area will be able to help raise money for hunger relief when they shop at their local Stop & Shop.

LOS ANGELES — Sears is offering customers who want to save and donate to a good cause the chance to do both on Aug. 11, with its "Super Back-to-School Saturday" event. On this day only, Sears will donate up to $70,000 of all apparel, footwear and fine jewelry purchases made using a downloadable 15% off savings pass, both in-store and online. Donations will directly benefit charities affiliated with Sears' Team Up to Stop Bullying, an initiative designed to bring solutions quickly and effectively to victims, families, educators and communities.