Marketing Tactics

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us will again give its loyalty rewards members 10% back on holiday purchases.

The offer, whereby members of the chain’s rewards club get 10% back in “R Us” dollars for each dollar spent on qualifying purchases, is available from Oct. 30 through Christmas Eve. The promotional dollars will be sent to customers via email in January and can be used on future in-store purchases.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that it is helping ensure customers pay the lowest price on holiday gifts with the launch of its Christmas price guarantee.

Customers who purchase eligible products at Walmart anytime between Nov. 1 and Dec. 25, and then find those same products advertised for less at another store, will receive a Walmart gift card for the difference through Dec. 25. 

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Following the recent launch of its "Never Stop Improving" marketing campaign, Lowe's announce that it has introduced MyLowe’s, an integrated online experience that will help customers manage their biggest asset - their homes. Both the new campaign and website are part of Lowe's strategy to position itself as a destination for home improvement projects and to better appeal to the average consumer.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings announced that it is offering free shipping from Oct. 30 through Dec. 19 at Sears.com and Kmart.com. In addition, the company is offering free same-day store pick up. 

Free shipping applies to qualified mailable orders of more than $99 on Sears.com and $49 on Kmart.com or mygofer.com. To receive the savings, customers must enter the promo code SHIPREALJOY on Sears.com, HOLIDAY on Kmart.com and JINGLE49 on mygofer.com.

Target is facing new holiday pricing pressure as Walmart announced the launch of its Christmas price guarantee.

Customers who purchase eligible products at Walmart anytime between Nov. 1 and Dec. 25, and then find those same products advertised for less at another store, will receive a Walmart gift card for the difference through Dec. 25. 

WASHINGTON — The Grocery Manufacturers Association has highlighted the U.S. food and beverage industry's accomplishments on Food Day, which celebrates the more than 15 million Americans who work to provide billions of consumers with safe, healthy, convenient and affordable food.

NEW YORK — HSN announced that it has partnered with Conde Nast to create a new collection of culinary products under the Bon Appetit label that will be available exclusively via all of HSN's sales platforms including television, online and mobile. 

One thing retailers learn, some of them the hard way, is to take no competitor lightly. Consider the case of Dollar General and a toy promotion it is running for the holidays.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings announced it will offer free shipping on Sears.com for orders qualified orders totaling more than $99, and on Kmart.com for orders more than $49. The chain is also offering free same-day store pick-up services.

The free shipping offer will begin on Oct. 30 and run through Dec. 19.

 

Los Angeles -- Fifty-two percent of consumers plan to spend $500 or more on gifts this season, according to a new survey by PriceGrabber, a part of Experian. Thirty-six percent said they will spend less than $500, and 12% indicated that they do not have a budget.

Other key findings of the survey, conducted from Sept. 7-15, 2011, include:

Consumers overwhelmingly chose clothing as the most popular holiday gift purchase (chosen by 66%), followed by gift cards (52%), books, CDs, DVDs or videogames (46%) and toys (43%).