Loyalty Marketing

Sports Authority is trying out a new store format in its first-ever store in Puerto Rico. The 35,000-sq.-ft. location in Ponce opened its doors Saturday, Oct. 19.

The company describes the new format as an intuitive one that allows consumers to easily find exactly what they need. Featuring specialty sport shops and a spacious layout, the store has been designed specifically to enhance the shopping experience.

Los Angeles – Almost seven-in-10 (66%) shoppers feel retailers will offer better prices and discounts this year due to the current state of the economy. The new Winter Holiday Shopping Survey from PriceGrabber also shows that 21% of holiday shoppers said they started saving money before June, while the majority of survey respondents plan to start shopping for the holidays in October and November.

I have now been in my role as senior editor of Chain Store Age, specializing in retail IT coverage, for six months. Beyond being surprised at how quickly the past 180 days have gone by and grateful at how welcoming the industry has been to me, I also can’t help but be amazed at how much retail IT has changed since I was last actively involved in covering this field in 2006.

Big Lots has appointed former Kmart executive Andrew Stein as the company's SVP and chief customer officer, as the company focuses more intensely on bolstering its digital footprint.

Columbus, Ohio – Big Lots has named Andrew Stein as senior VP, chief customer officer. Prior to Big Lots, Stein was a marketing executive at Kmart, where he served a number of roles leading up to his appointment as chief marketing officer in August 2011. Stein’s appointment is in line with Big Lots’ intent to expand its digital presence.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Following the lead of rivals Macy’s and J.C. Penney, Kohl’s Department Stores announced it will open its doors at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day,  kicking off its Black Friday event earlier than ever.  

Stores will be open for 28 hours straight – from 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 28 through midnight Friday nationwide.

Toys"R"Us has unveiled its 2013 holiday marketing plans, including a new television campaign that positions the store as the go-to destination for toys this holiday season.

The broadcast commercial, which began airing on Sunday, Oct. 20, features a group of children who think they're going on a field trip to "Meet the Trees" and end up at Toys"R"Us instead.

Los Angeles – CharmingCharlie relaunches its e-commerce site today. Enhanced features on Charmingcharlie.com include: a new approach to '”Shop by Color,” product filtering, improved product descriptions and social sharing, among others.