Mobile Marketing

Macy’s and Rite Aid are joining the other major retailers and companies that have partnered with Plenti, the first U.S.-based loyalty coalition  that allows shoppers to earn rewards points through a variety of purchases, from paying a phone bill to filling up at the pump.

Shopper sentiment surged in the first quarter of 2015 amid optimism over the labor market, job stability, personal finances and gas prices, according to a new survey.

By Jessica Lee, senior manager of mobile, HelloWorld

Elmwood Park, N.J. – Traditionally, when something is printed on paper, it is considered more valuable and “real.” But for Adagio Teas, an omnichannel specialty retailer of gourmet tea, digital promotions are the most reliable.

“As an online vendor, we are sensitive to the effectiveness of promotions,” Michael Cramer, founder and CEO of Adagio Teas, said during an exclusive interview with Chain Store Age. Adagio Teas operates three stores in the Chicago area as well as a global e-commerce site.

Austin, Texas - Whole Foods Market and Instacart are partnering to make it more convenient to show Mom how much you love her this Mother’s Day. Using the Instacart service, Whole Foods will deliver flowers in as little as one hour across 15 major U.S. metros, along with a selection of other gifts.

Whole Foods Market and Instacart are partnering to make it more convenient to show Mom how much you love her this Mother’s Day.

Beijing, China -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. unveiled plans to countermand slowed growth in China with 115 new stores in the country by 2017 and creating some 30,000 jobs. The announcement adds about 35 new stores to the retailer’s building plans as Wal-Mart previously targeted 480 total stores in China by 2016, up from around 400 now.

CEO Doug McMillon said in a statement that "China is a key strategic market for Walmart. Over the next three years we will increase investment across our diverse business operations in China.”

St. Petersburg, Fla. -- Valpak’s new coupon app for Apple Watch will deliver watch wearers savings in a high-tech way for the traditional coupon-mailer.

The coupon app will be available for download for Apple Watch and will mark an early Apple Watch entry for coupon companies.

London – Net-A-Porter is reportedly partnering with Harper’s Bazaar on an interactive ad. According to Luxury Daily, Net-A-Porter’s display ad on the Harper’s mobile site lets consumers type in a keyword that will help personalize the landing page they go to.

Predictive text helps consumers more quickly fill in the keyword. They are then brought to a customized landing page with products relating to their keyword.
 

HSN is leveraging the 30-year career of designer Sigrid Olsen to launch a multi-platform marketing campaign.

The retailer is producing a show on HSN with Olsen that premieres this month to coincide with the debut of the Spring 2015 collection of her first women's fashion line since 2008. The show is just one facet of a campaign on social media, mobile and online.