Loyalty Marketing

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.

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.

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.

New York -- J.C. Penney chairman and CEO Ron Johnson on Monday sent out an email to the chain’s customers  detailing how it is returning to the pricing policies its founder James Cash Penney intended.

"While you will see many changes, you can rest assured that we'll never lose sight of our founder's values," Johnson wrote. "When James Cash Penney built his first retail stores over a century ago, he called them 'The Golden Rule,' because treating customers with respect was his highest priority."

MINNEAPOLIS — "Hunger Game" fans will hope the "odds be ever in their favor" to get their hands on special collection keepsakes and an exclusive three-disc version of the blockbuster film. These premium items range from $349 to $999 – Target’s first-ever licensed product offering at this price point – and will be introduced one per day beginning on Aug. 18 to coincide with the DVD release.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion customers can support their favorite schools when they participate in the MVP Classroom Rewards program.

When customers shop with their MVP Cards, a portion of their grocery bills spent only on qualified store brand products is automatically credited to the shoppers' local school of choice. Donations up to $2,500 will be distributed three times per year to schools in January, May and September.

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.

DALLAS — Celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe has designed an exclusive collection of vintage-inspired costume jewelry for Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. The collection consists of statement rings, cuffs, necklaces, and earrings.