Retailer Campaigns

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer conducted a survey of its customers, which revealed that 90% of them plan to spend the same or more than they did last year and 40% will have completed their back-to-school shopping before the school year begins. 

Median spend will range between $101-$150 per student and $201-$250 in total. In addition, 15% of parents expect students to help pay for a portion of school expenses and nearly 30% will get help from grandparents.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — Ahead of the 84th Major League Baseball All-Star Game in New York, Pepsi has announced a national partnership with New York Yankees All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano.

Cano will be officially welcomed as Pepsi's latest brand ambassador in a tribute spot that will run during the MLB All-Star Game Tuesday, July 16, on Fox.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot is directing its back-to-school marketing efforts at teachers by offering them an online tool to help them plan and prepare for the academic year.

Minneapolis – Today and tomorrow, Best Buy is running a special promotion where consumers can bring in a working iPad 2 or third-generation iPad and receive a gift card worth $200 or more depending on model and condition of the iPad. As reported by All Things D, returns must be performed at a Best Buy store location and the gift card will be good for in-store or online Best Buy purchases.

CHICAGO — Sara Lee Foodservice, a division of the Hillshire Brands Company, has introduced a line of products aimed at the kindergarten-12th grade education sector, focusing on turkey items for both breakfast and lunch.

Additionally, Sara Lee Foodservice will be participating in the United States Department of Agriculture Commodity Food Distribution Program that enables schools to purchase items at reduced prices.

Twinkies fans devastated by the news that their Hostess snack cake was to be no more have been waiting for its comeback Monday, July 15. Walmart wants those folks to know that they don't need to wait until Monday to treat themselves.

“Twinkies Watch” is officially on at the retailer. Starting today, the new Hostess Twinkies will be available at select Walmart stores nationwide. All domestic U.S. stores will be fully stocked by 12:01 a.m. Sunday, July 14, and stores in Hawaii and Alaska in the coming weeks.
 

FORT WORTH, Texas — RadioShack released a statement in which it contends its balance sheet remains strong, with total liquidity of $820 million at the end of the first quarter.

The retailer released the statement a day after reports said it was considering hiring a financial adviser as a result of debt maturities, bloated inventories and slumping sales.

LOS ANGELES — Specialty sporting goods retailer Sport Chalet is teaming up with California Triathlon, a statewide network of triathlon clubs in California, as part of its strategy to position itself as a one-stop shopping destination for triathletes.

The partnership drives foot traffic into Sport Chalet's brick-and-mortar stores by encouraging members of the various participating triathlon clubs to turn to the retailer for the equipment and gear they need.