Loyalty Marketing

Salisbury, N.C. -- Grocery chain Bloom said Tuesday it has introduced a free iPhone application that will allow its customers to access weekly specials, search recipes, manage shopping lists and find their nearest Bloom.

"At Bloom, we look for opportunities to leverage technology to enhance our guests shopping experience," said Tammy DeBoer, VP of Bloom. "This new mobile application, from Mercatus, is user-friendly and makes it easy for our shoppers to connect with us and plan family meals."

SALISBURY, N.C .— Delhaize-owned Bloom announced that it has launched a free app for iPhone, iPad and iPod users.

The new mobile application, developed in partnership with Mercatus Technologies, gives guests easy access to weekly specials with the capabilities to build and manage virtual shopping lists and view delicious recipes through the grocer's Taste Mapper system, the company reported.

CINCINNATI — Kroger CEO David Dillon said the company will continue to focus on customer loyalty, after reporting last week that it saw identical-store sales increase for 30 consecutive quarters.

During its shareholders meeting on Thursday, Dillon said the company will build its future growth around its Customer 1st strategy, which emphasizes "[our] people, products, prices and the shopping experience."

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Sales may have been flat overall, but a closer look revealed there was a lot to be positive about in Rite Aid’s fiscal first quarter 2012 earnings, as the company managed significant expense improvement and stronger same-store sales growth. Bottom line: Rite Aid narrowed its losses considerably, and that ain’t all expense control.

New York City -- Kroger Co. reported double-digit jumps in first-quarter revenue and net income, as the chain's fuel stations and loyalty discounts helped draw more frequent shoppers.

Kroger said net income rose to $432.3 million, up nearly 16% from $373.3 million, or 58 cents per share, a year ago. Revenue rose 11% to $27.5 billion. Same-sales rose 4.6%, excluding fuel sales.

Kroger has steadily expanded its gas business, now with more than 1,000 store gas stations at its nearly 2,500 stores.
 

Walmart may have been slow to embrace the online space in the mid 90’s when dot-com fever first heated up, but it isn’t making the same mistake the second time around as the digital world undergoes the mobile and social revolution.

Seattle -- Starbucks Corp. launched an application Wednesday that lets customers purchase goods with their Android smartphones. The company already has similar applications nationwide for BlackBerry and iPhone and iPod touch in January.

The application also allows customers to load their Starbucks loyalty card accounts, check card balances and find stores nearby, and it notifies customers of promotions and other discounts.

Dallas -- Alliance Data Systems Corp. said Tuesday it has signed a long-term extension agreement with J. Crew Group to continue providing the retailer with reward program and private-label credit-card services, accepted at J. Crew stores and through J. Crew’s web and catalog channels.