Retailer Campaigns

Sears is hitching a ride with Uber — and inviting its loyal shoppers along.   A new program, called Rider Rewards, is designed to award Sears shoppers for using Uber’s ride service. Customers that link their Sears Shop Your Way loyalty plan to their Uber account will earn $2 in loyalty points for every Uber trip they take. Besides points, the loyalty program also tailors deals to members. Drivers can also take advantage of the program, and earn up to $1,000 in certain markets.   

As it turns out, high-fashion and Lands’ End weren’t perfect together.      Less than two years after she took the reins of Lands’ End, Federica Marchionni has stepped down as CEO. Two current Lands’ End executives—James Gooch, executive VP, COO and CFO, and Joseph Boitano, executive VP and chief merchandising and design officer—were named as interim co-CEOs, effective September 26, while the company searches for a permanent replacement.  

Mark your calendars. Free Shipping Day, the one-day online event featuring free shipping with no minimum order requirement and delivery by Christmas Eve, is scheduled this year for Friday, Dec. 16.

"While we try to schedule the event one week before Christmas Eve, the calendar doesn't always accomodate," said Luke Knowles, founder of Free Shipping Day.  "What sets Free Shipping Day apart from other shopping holidays is small business participation.”

E-commerce may lose some appeal among shoppers this holiday season.   While some industry analysts are predicting more than 15% increases in e-commerce growth during the 2016 shopping season, NetElixir’s “2016 Holiday Outlook” report predicts that e-commerce growth may only hit 11%. This conservative gain is being blamed on earlier-than-usual promotions and purchasing of holiday gifts; retailers’ use of online marketplaces rather than exclusively selling directly on their sites, and the uncertain political environment.

Macy's is revving up its beauty offerings with at-home beauty and treatment services.   The department store retailer is partnering with beGlammed, an on-demand beauty service that delivers hair and makeup to the customer’s front door. The deal will utilize beGlammed’s network of more than 1,200 stylists in 22 U.S. markets. Customers will be able to book a variety of beGlammed services, from a touch-up to bridal makeup, on macys.com/beglammed.com.  Prices will range from $25.00 to $185.00.  

It's hard to find a brand more excited about the first day of fall than UGG.   Ready to kick off its favorite season in style, UGG is launching a custom, fall-themed Snapchat lens. The lens, which will be available until midnight tonight, is part of the company’s digital campaign, #UGGseason. UGG fans can log onto Twitter and post their favorite looks, memes and comments, including those created through Snapchat.  

Although most Americans are still irritated to see holiday items appear in the store alongside Halloween goodies and don’t like stores being open on Thanksgiving, attitudes are beginning to change.   

Thirsty for meaningful brand interactions, consumers are turning to social media more regularly.
 
While it’s still largely used for socializing and product discovery, social media is increasingly influencing consumer purchasing decisions, according to “Shopping’s Social Influence,” a new report from digital advertising and analytics firm Adlucent.