Marketing Tactics

New York -- J. Sainsbury Plc is in talks with retailers in the United States and South America to license the technology behind Sainsbury’s Brand Match, a price promise that has fueled sales outperformance, according to a report by Bloomberg.

The Brand Match program ensures shoppers don’t pay more for branded goods such as Coca- Cola at Sainsbury than at competitors by checking more than 14,000 items, including offers and promotions at the point-of-sale. Customers are given a coupon if an item is priced cheaper at a rival.

Seattle -- Starbucks Corp. announced a series of management changes that it said it was undertaking to accelerate its innovation and growth. The changes come after Starbucks missed its global sales forecasts in April, mainly due to a downturn in Europe.

The company named Craig Russell, the senior VP U.S. Store Services, as senior VP of the Global Coffee division.

Nashville, Tenn. -- Kirkland's first-quarter profit dropped 38% amid promotions and price cuts. The company also issued disappointing predictions for the current quarter and full year.

Kirkland’s said it earned $2 million for the quarter ended April 28, down from $3.2 million last year.

Sales rose 3.6% to $97.8 million from $94.4 million. Same-store sales edged down 1.2%.

The home décor chain said it increased marketing to counter a drop in sales.

Portland, Ore. -- Safeway launched an online and mobile shopping program, called Just for U, in the company's Oregon and Washington divisions. The program, which delivers targeted savings directly to a customer's Safeway Club Card, can be accessed through the new Safeway Mobile App for iPhone or Android.

By Craig McLaughlin, [email protected]

There is a growing trend in the loyalty rewards space -- using reward points as currency, creating a more holistic, streamlined approach to loyalty programs.

CAMDEN, N.J. — Campbell's has tapped Walgreens' social media director to lead the soup maker's digital marketing and social media efforts.

WAYNE , N.J. — Toys"R"Us has added QR codes to more than 20 large outdoor items to help customers better visualize how the toy would work and look in their own backyards.

Customers can simply scan the QR code of the product they are interested in with their smartphone to view video footage or images of the item fully set up. Many of the products have corresponding videos that showcase kids playing with these fun summer toys.

Bloomfield Hills, Mich. -- Taubman Centers said Thursday that it will begin construction this summer on its 640,000-sq.-ft. Mall of San Juan, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Formerly known as Plaza Internacional, The Mall of San Juan will be a state-of-the-art, two-level, enclosed mall anchored by a 138,000-sq.-ft. Nordstrom and a 100,000-sq.-ft. Saks Fifth Avenue. It will be the first upscale mall on the island and the first and only location in Puerto Rico for both Nordstrom and Saks. 

Burlington, Mass. -- E-commerce solution-provider Demandware said Wednesday that lifestyle brand Life is good has selected Demandware Commerce as the central platform to support its digital growth strategy.

LONDON — In honor of Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee, Asda's George division has created an exclusive, limited edition Big Jubilee Lunch t-shirt for women.