Loyalty Marketing

Matthews, N.C. -- Harris Teeter announced Thursday it has launched a new, yearly payment option for its Express Lane Online Shopping program.

In addition to the $4.95 per order option and the $16.95 monthly option — already in place for shoppers who frequently use the service — shoppers can now choose to pay $99.95 for the entire year, allowing them to place as many orders as they would like throughout the year without incurring additional charges.

Target is expanding its online subscription service with a nearly tenfold increase in available items — from 200 to more than 1,500 — and adding a 5% discount on all subscription orders.

The service, which launched September 2013 with a focus on babycare products, now accounts for more than 15% of online sales for eligible items, according to the company. The new expanded program will go beyond babycare to include cleaning supplies, health and beauty aids, pet treats and training pads.
 

Leading B2C mobile messaging company Outspoken greatly expanded the capability of marketers to use its service this week with a major upgrade involving Apple devices.

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. highlighted its use of technology and innovation to bridge the growing digital world with its physical stores at the company’s annual meeting with investors. In new initiatives, the retailer is expanding its reserve in-store service to all U.S. Gap stores by the end of the second quarter, enabling online and mobile shoppers to now reserve items at more than 1,000 Gap and Banana Republic store locations.

Ahold USA has appointed Amy Hahn to the newly created position of SVP marketing effective April 28. In this role, Hahn will lead and drive critical initiatives of strategic marketing, market insights and analytics, advertising, promotion, brand development, corporate communications, innovation, digital strategy and execution.

She will also be responsible for developing digital retailing and loyalty plans.

Social sharing, editorial commerce and improved targeting are said to be among the technological upgrades leading footwear brand and retailer Steve Madden has made to its Web site.

Sam’s Club worked with SquareTrade, a leading protection plan provider, to launch a new program that expands members’ technology and electronics services and support, and helps reduce the cost of owning the latest technology.

From smartphones and tablets to cameras and televisions, Sam’s Club membership now includes exclusive warranty services available in clubs and at SamsClub.com that aim to simplify the technology purchasing, protection and upgrade experience.

Michael Howe was named CEO at Minneapolis-based Verify Corp., a software provider with solutions focused on supply chain security and brand protection and consumer engagement and loyalty promotions.

Howe has served in various executive leadership positions with Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo, Unilever, Arby’s and MinuteClinic. As CEO of MinuteClinic, Howe facilitated the national expansion of the business from 19 clinics in two markets to more than 525 clinics in 27 states. Most recently, he has served as chairman at Smart Receipt and DRX.