Loyalty Marketing

MINNEAPOLIS – Target announced that on Feb. 2 it will celebrate the opening of the newly renovated library at the George Peabody Elementary School. The renovation was made possible with the help of The Heart of America Foundation and the NFL Players Association.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Kmart announced that it is teaming up with comedian Steve Harvey for its Share the Word campaign celebrating Black History Month. According to the company, this year's installment of the Share the Word program was designed to spotlight the unique bonds found in black communities that have historically driven the progression of African-Americans.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Best Buy announced that it is helping consumers get ready for the Super Bowl by offering deals on Samsung products in stores and online through Feb. 5. 

Best Buy's deals include:

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation welcomed President Obama’s recognition of the importance of the retail industry to job creation in Tuesday night’s State of the Union address, and pledged to work with the White House on initiatives to promote continuation of the nation’s economic recovery.

If ever there were a case of turning lemons into lemonade, the Toys“R”Us exchange program is it. Billed as the “Great Trade-In” event, the program is positioned as a child safety initiative that enables customers to bring in used products in exchange for a 25% discount on a new item.

Washington, D.C. -- The Conference Board said Tuesday that its Consumer Confidence Index reached its highest level in eight months as Americans grew more optimistic about the job market.

The Index climbed to 60.6 this month, up from 53.3 in December. While that reading surpassed expectations, it still falls short of the 90 level that indicates a healthy consumer mindset.

The January figure was the highest since last May's 62.7, and hasn’t been above 90 since the recession began in December 2007.

Beachwood, Ohio -- Developers Diversified Realty Corp. announced a new gift-card partnership with MasterCard Worldwide in Puerto Rico.

The MasterCard program, called the Isla Plus Card, represents an extension of a significant, long-term partnership between the two companies in Puerto Rico. The Isla Plus Card is designed to promote even greater acceptance among merchants and consumers, and provide the flexibility consumers demand in gift-card programs.

CAMP HILL, Pa. - Rite Aid on Monday sweetened the pot for those loyalty card members braving the cold and visiting the pharmacy in February.

With the purchase of $100 or more of specially marked products throughout the store, Rite Aid’s Wellness+ cardholders can earn a $20 +UP Reward, and at the same time be automatically entered into a sweepstakes featuring more than $100,000 in prizes, as part of Rite Aid's new Winter Rewards Program through Feb. 26.