Loyalty Marketing

New York City -- Target Corp. is in a class by itself when it comes to gift cards, offering a broad selection to suit all ages. In fact, the cards are so unusual that the retailer patents them, according to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Journal.

Click here to read the full story and see a slide show of some of Target’s most unusual gift cards.
 

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. is adding a new benefit to its REDcard Rewards loyalty program: free shipping on Target.com purchases when guests use their REDcards. In addition, for the first time Target Debit Cards can be used on Target.com.

Target’s REDcard Rewards loyalty program applies to the Target REDcards, including the Target Credit Card, Target Visa Credit Card and Target Debit Card. The program offers guests an extra 5% off Target’s already prices on nearly all items purchased in stores and online when they use a REDcard.

LOS ANGELES — Food 4 Less and Ralphs Grocery announced that they are inviting customers to help support local food banks and families in need through a special fund-raising campaign that kicks off Nov. 6. In addition, Food 4 Less' Foods Co Division is also collecting donations for food banks in Central and Northern California.

Seattle -- Starbucks Corp.’s fiscal fourth-quarter profit jumped nearly 29%, beating Wall Street estimates on strong sales around the globe. The company earned $358.5 million in the quarter, up from $278.9 million last year. Revenue rose 7% to $3 billion, with some benefit from foreign exchange rates. Same-store sales increased 9%, with a 10% rise in the United States.

Economists may be feeling good after a government report that showed third-quarter GDP grew at 2.5%, but try telling millions of Americans who shop at Walmart stores at 12:01 a.m. on the first of the month that the nation is no longer in a recession.

By Jay Samit, [email protected]

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart is giving customers the chance to preview its Black Friday specials early. The company announced that customers can sign up at Walmart.com or Facebook.com/Walmart to receive an early preview of its specials on the widest assortment of top electronics, toys, apparel and more. 

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club announced that it is making it easier for consumers to shop this holiday season with the launch of its holiday shopping site, SamsClub.com/gifts and an enhanced mobile app that together streamline on-the-go and at-home shopping.