Loyalty Marketing

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears has launched SearsLocalAd.com, an online service that provides customers with access to additional local deals beyond the weekly Sears print circular or Sears.com. The online shopping portal is dedicated to local customers, allowing them to shop smarter by previewing new local deals updated every week, and includes enhancements for Sears' Shop Your Way Rewards members.

Toronto -- Sears Canada is launching a “hassle-free” return policy that includes a satisfaction guarantee with every purchase. If not completely satisfied, customers can now exchange or return almost all products within 30 days -- or 90 days if they use their Sears card.

The new policy is part of a new push by Sears to provide “exceptional” customer service. This week, Sears associates across Canada will sign a customer service pledge. 

April same-store sales at Target increased 1.1% and helped the company achieve a 5.3% first-quarter comps increase that was the highest in six years. How much of the performance was due to record warm weather versus good execution of a solid strategy against the back drop of an improved economy is debatable.

Target turned 50 this year, and chairman, president and CEO Gregg Steinhafel weighed in on the expect more, pay less (EMPL) value proposition, his 32-year career and miscellaneous other topics in a Q&A interview with the company’s online magazine known as “A Bullseye View.” To read a transcript of his comments click here.



 

NEW YORK — Millennial shoppers (consumers ages 18 to 34 years) now represent the highest percentage of Americans who do not have enough money to cover their basic needs, according to WSL/Strategic Retail, a leading authority on shopper behavior and retail trends.

New York -- Millennial shoppers (consumers ages 18-34) now represent the highest percentage of Americans who do not have enough money to cover their basic needs according to WSL/Strategic Retail, a leading authority on shopper behavior and retail trends. The finding, which noted that nearly 25% of this young adult market say they are not able to make ends meet – as compared with 17% of adults ages 35-54, and only 13% of those age 55 and over – was revealed as part of the company’s How America Shops MegaTrends report, Moving On 2012.

CHICAGO — Consumers’ confidence in their personal finances is returning to levels seen in first quarter 2011, according to SymphonyIRI Group’s latest MarketPulse survey, released Friday. But while confidence remains high, the same consumers remain frugal.

By Juli Spottiswood, [email protected]