Marketing Tactics

Saks Fifth Avenue is amping up its omni-channel strategy by updating  its SaksFirst loyalty program and adding free shipping. The changes will make the benefits of the program more consistent across Saks’ different channels. 

On Thursday, Saks announced that all Saks cardholders will now receive free shipping from Saks stores, Saks.com and Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th stores.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Continuing to assist those who were affected by Hurricane Sandy, the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust, a private foundation created by CVS Caremark Corporation, announced on Friday that it is donating $50,000 to the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.

Established by Gov. Chris Christie and chaired by First Lady Mary Pat Christie, the relief fund is a nonprofit organization that raises and distributes funds to organizations to support the recovery and rebuilding efforts of New Jersey communities impacted by the storm.

By Bradley W. Snyder, [email protected]

Mississauga, Ontario -- Target officially unveiled its partners, owned brands and limited-time only collections that will be featured in its Canadian stores, which will  start opening in March/April 2013.

In addition to Target's ongoing partnerships, the Canadian stores will include an exclusive, limited-time only collaboration with Roots. The new Roots Outfitters collection for Target will offer fashion for women, men, boys, girls and toddlers, and will be available from March to June 2013.

BrandMasters is the name of a new experiential marketing agency created by Crossmark, one of the companies that executes in store activities at Walmart under the Shopper Events banner.

James Cordero, senior director of Walmart’s Smart Network, is among four new appointees to the advisory board of the Digital Signage Expo.

BY JASON OWEN

DALLAS — In the height of the one of the worst flu seasons in recent years, Kleenex is hand-delivering care packs to unsuspecting fans all across North America. Three fans will receive what could be the surprise of a lifetime.

HAMPSHIRE, U.K. — Retailers are predicted to spend $55 billion on mobile marketing by 2015, which is almost double the $28 billion expected this year, according to a new study by Juniper Research.

NEW YORK — Actress Kate Hudson is extending her relationship with Ann Taylor by developing a capsule collection for the fashion retailer. In addition, Hudson will return as ambassador of its spring and summer 2013 campaigns. 

CHICAGO — One-in-five consumers between the ages of 35 years and 54 years are choosing products due to a loyalty card discount, SymphonyIRI Group reported Wednesday as part of its Q4 2012 MarketPulse survey. And almost one-third are forsaking their preferred brands due to a sale price. The survey found that shopper sentiment dropped to its lowest point since Q3 2011.