Marketing Tactics

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap Inc. is donating more than $1 million to help victims of Hurricane Sandy, which struck the East Coast earlier this week and caused widespread damage and destruction.

Upon the request of the American Red Cross, Gap Inc. will donate more than $250,000 worth of clothing, which will be distributed tomorrow in New Jersey, one of the areas hit the hardest by this week’s superstorm. In addition, the company will donate $750,000 cash to provide critical help and necessities for those in affected areas.

Deerfield, Ill. -- Walgreens on Monday reported October sales of $6 billion, down 2.1% compared with October 2011. The results include the brunt of the impact from Hurricane Sandy — at the peak of the storm, approximately 750 of 1,400 stores in the impacted area were closed, Walgreens said. Nearly all of those locations have since reopened.

Total same-store sales were down 5.9%.

Chicago -- OfficeMax announced that it has appointed Kim Feil as executive VP and chief marketing and strategy officer, effective Nov. 12.

Feil will have accountability for all aspects of marketing across the enterprise, with particular emphasis on brand management and evolution of the company's traditional marketing vehicles to new media including digital and social.

Most recently, Feil served as chief marketing officer and corporate VP for Walgreens.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears Holdings is now offering its loyalty program members the chance to update their account to a Shop Your Way Max membership for $79 a year.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer announced that it will double match every customer's $10 Simply Give donation made Nov. 9 to 10 to help boost support for local food pantries before the holidays. The Double Match Days initiative is being launched as part of the retailer's Taste of the Holidays in-store sampling event as a way to thank customers for their continued commitment to help fight hunger in the Midwest.

By Bill Martin, ShopperTrak Founder

The ShopperTrak holiday forecast for increased sales and foot traffic should encourage retailers. Our analysis suggests the 38 shopping days between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve — coupled with two “extra” weekends — will contribute to a strong shopping season.

To recap the forecast:

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens has launched Ology, a nationally accessible and affordable brand formulated to be free of harmful chemicals. Exclusive to Walgreens' family of companies, the Ology brand features a line of baby and personal care products as well as household cleaners, the company stated.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s Department Stores has announced that the Narciso Rodriguez for DesigNation collection will be available nationwide on Nov. 7 at 7 a.m.