Loyalty Marketing

SALT LAKE CITY — Walmart and Sam's Club stores, with the help of associate, customer and member donations, between May 1 and June 13 raised more thatn $27.9 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

During the six-week campaign, Walmart and Sam’s Club customers and members were invited to make a donation of $1, $2 or $5 at the register to the Children's Miracle Network Hospital in their community. Additional in-store fundraisers were held to bolster fundraising efforts.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens recently surpassed 1 million fans on Facebook, the pharmacy operator announced Friday, and also has integrated its network of more than 7,700 drug stores through mobile platforms on Facebook Places and Foursquare.

Consequently, Walgreens has quickly become the chain drug store retailer with the largest following on Foursquare, while developing a growing presence on other social communities, including Twitter and YouTube.

MONTVALE, N.J. — A&P has launched a new program offering exclusive discounts to pet owners across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Connecticut. The program is a collaboration with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 

MCKINNEY, Texas — Blockbuster L.L.C. announced that customers can now get unlimited kids and family movies on either DVD or Blu-ray for $4.99 a month (one movie out at a time) with the new Kids Summer Pass. A two-movie and three-movie pass are also available for  $9.98 and $14.97, respectively.  

Plano, Texas -- Inland Western, based in Oak Brook, Ill., said that its Shops at Legacy, in Plano, Texas, has partnered with Smart Choice to launch a mobile personal shopping assistant app. The new app features product information, a customizable shopping experience and a “Men’s Corner,” which includes drink specials, sports game listings and gift ideas.

NEW YORK — Barnes & Noble is promoting the Nook by inviting customers to come into its stores to compare their e-readers with company's own version. Beginning July 1, customers can purchase a Nook, starting at $139, and receive an instant Nook Book collection -- 30 free digital titles valued at $315. 

Lewisville, Texas -- Consumer deal-seeking is here to stay, according to a new report by Parago. The study, Shopper Trend Report: Values, Deals & How Far They’re Willing To Go To Get Them, provides a comprehensive look at the entire deal landscape, from traditional clipped coupons to mobile applications. It finds that deal-finding has evolved from a necessity for cash-strapped consumers to an attractive, trendy activity that all shoppers now pursue. It also examines how these trends will likely continue to affect shopper behavior.

Indianapolis -- More than half of U.S. consumers who’ve made at least one purchase on their smartphone have done so based on a marketing message delivered via mobile email, according to a new study by ExactTarget.

While calling, texting and emailing remain the most frequent daily activities for smartphone users, the study found consumers are increasingly using their smartphones for more than the basics.


Key findings of the research include:

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that it will offer customers savings of 10 cents a gallon on all fuel, gas and diesel at participating Murphy USA and Walmart gas stations.  The reduction is part of a 90-day Rollback program.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores is cutting gas prices by 10-cents a gallon for three months to help consumers worried about their spending amid a sputtering economy and busy summer travel season. The chain said that customers visiting participating Murphy USA and Walmart gas stations in 18 states through Sept. 30 will receive a discount on all fuel, gas and diesel purchases when they use a reloadable Walmart gift card, Walmart MoneyCard or a Walmart credit card.