Loyalty Marketing

Dallas -- Alliance Data Systems Corp., a provider of loyalty and marketing solutions derived from transaction-rich data, and Zale Corp., announced a national agreement between Alliance Data's Canadian coalition loyalty business and Zale Canada. The agreement provides for Zale's Canadian brands, Peoples Jewellers and Mappins Jewellers, to participate as the exclusive sponsors in the fine jewelry category in the Canadian Air Miles Reward Program.

Mother’s Day may be considered a “Hallmark Holiday,” but that won’t stop consumers from showering mom with gifts on May 8. According to NRF’s 2011 Mother’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, conducted by BIGresearch, the average person celebrating the holiday is expected to spend $140.73 on gifts, up from $126.90 last year, and a return to 2008 spending levels. Total spending is expected to reach $16.3 billion.

New York City -- Speaking at the Barclays Capital analyst conference in New York City on Tuesday, Kroger Co. chairman and CEO David Dillon said grocery prices are rising slightly. He also said the chain may benefit from rising fuel prices because the discounts it offers on gasoline could attract more shoppers.

Grocery prices have gone up approximately 2%, Dillon said, in what he called "the low side of moderate" inflation, since late last year as suppliers deal with higher commodity and energy costs, the Associated Press reported.

With Mother’s Day right around the corner, General Growth Properties teamed up with Broyhill to give shoppers an opportunity to enter a contest to win mom an entire Broyhill living set, valued at more than $4,000. To enter, customers can simply visit a participating mall’s Facebook page and in 150 words or less, tell why “mom” is the best! The grand prize is a seven-piece furniture set, featuring pieces from the Perspectives collection, including a sofa, two chairs, square coffee table and more.

San Francisco -- 5th Finger, a leading mobile marketing technology firm, has announced plans to bring in-store mobile trials to JoS. A. Bank Clothiers. 5th Finger will be testing the role of the mobile device to drive "consumer outcomes" including ensemble inspiration, shopper education and offer redemption "in store" leading up to the summer season.

Troy, Mich. -- Oakland Mall is using social networking as a tool to get shoppers involved this Mother's Day to benefit Moms at Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM), a non-profit agency dedicated to assisting the homeless and getting them back on their feet.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets’ official Facebook page is celebrating its 10,000th fan with exclusive coupon offers, the grocer announced Tuesday.

Weis Markets’ Facebook fans now are eligible for these coupons at Facebook.com/WeisSuperMarket. The coupon offers include $5 off a $50 purchase; $1 off 12-oz. Weis quality granola; $1 off 12-count Weis quality coffee solos and $1 off a Weis Five Star item.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- eBay announced that its is now offering limited-time pricing for broken or damaged iPods, iPhones and iPads through its Instant Sale program. Additionally, eBay said it will offer every user that sends in their device -- broken or not -- a bonus $5 eBay gift card and a matching $5 donation to Global Green USA.

Through April 30, eBay Instant Sale will begin paying up to $150 for broken iPads, $100 for iPhones, and $50 for iPods.