Marketing Tactics

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — As tropical storm Isaac barrels down on the Gulf Coast area, CVS/pharmacy has announced that, while complying with any mandatory evacuation order given by local officials, it is keeping its stores in affected areas open for as long as possible and stocking them with such storm preparedness items as water, batteries, flashlights and other products to help in an emergency.

New York -- Barnes & Noble announced that it will enter into a partnership with British retailer John Lewis to offer its Nook electronic readers in the United Kingdom.

John Lewis is the first Nook partner for Barnes & Noble outside the United States.

“John Lewis is where knowledgeable customers turn for trusted advice on the best products to purchase, and they are a perfect partner to help launch Nook in the U.K.,” said Jamie Iannone, president of digital products at Barnes & Noble.
 

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Donuts announced the signing of multi-unit store development agreements with four franchise groups to develop 29 new restaurants in Houston and Waco, Texas, over the next several years.

GRAPEVINE, Texas and ROSEVILLE, Calif. — GameStop has announced that customers can purchase digital, web-access Prima e-guides at GameStop retail locations. The new program, “Buy In-Store, Redeem Online,” launches with an exclusive Madden NFL 13 tournament bundle. This exclusive GameStop eGuide bundle includes two tournament-level eGuides (offense and defense). Regularly priced at $39.99, GameStop customers can get the bundle for only $19.99.

San Francisco -- Premier Retail Networks LLC and Digital Display Networks Inc., creator and operator of 7-Eleven TV, announced a multi-year agreement under which PRN will be the exclusive advertising representative for 7-Eleven® TV. The agreement is effective immediately.
 
Under the new agreement, PRN will offer brands the opportunity to reach 100 million viewers monthly on 7-Eleven TV, America's largest single chain digital out-of-home network installed in approximately 4,400 locations.
 

Dallas -- Alliance Data Systems Corp., a provider of loyalty and marketing solutions derived from transaction-rich data, announced its retail services business has signed a multi-year renewal agreement to continue managing the private-label credit card program for Samuels Jewelers, which operates 104 stores under several banners.

NEW YORK — U.K. retailer John Lewis has become the first company outside of the United States to partner with Barnes & Noble for the sale of Nook devices.

John Lewis will offer Nook products at  37 U.K. stores and on www.johnlewis.com. As previously disclosed, Barnes & Noble will also offer Nook devices and content to U.K. customers this autumn through its own online storefront, www.nook.co.uk.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears' Craftsman brand is using the upcoming Republican and Democratic National Conventions to show that two sides can come together.

The company has teamed up with Ty Pennington of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" fame, Sears Heroes at Home, Rebuilding Together, NextGen Home built by Champion and Bank of America to build two halves of one home -- one in Tampa, Fla. during the RNC and the other in Charlotte, N.C. during the DNC.