Sales & Marketing

By Gary Ambrosino, TimeTrade Systems

Retailers are bending over backwards to meet the growing demands of today’s ever-connected consumer; however, most are still coming up short. The traditional rinse-and-repeat practices — slashing prices, offering free shipping and promoting exclusive products — aren’t winning over fickle consumers or helping gain a leg up on the competition.

One of the most fascinating developments over the last several years in our industry has been the explosion of new and different types of dining concepts. And it’s not only the restaurants chains evolving and emerging, but also about the way that dining preferences are changing.

SPAR Group, a leading supplier of retail merchandising and other marketing services throughout the United States and internationally, has appointed Panos Mastrogiannis as chief information officer and executive officer.

The company also provided shareholders with an update on its technological advances.

Stamford, Conn. -- GE Capital Retail Bank announced a long-term extension of its agreement with American Eagle Outfitters to continue providing private-label credit card programs for online, mobile app, and store purchases made at any of the 856 American Eagle Outfitter and 115 Aerie locations across the U.S.

As part of the seven-year agreement, GE Capital’s Retail Finance business will continue to manage the American Eagle Outfitters credit card program, which began in 1996.

New York -- Verve Mobile, a provider of in-store mobile advertising technology, and RetailNext, an in-store analytics solutions vendor, are launching a partnership to bring the combined power of location-based advertising and in-store analytics to brick-and-mortar retail customers. Now with the combined capabilities of Verve and RetailNext, retailers using the technologies can leverage a full range of tools that enhance their ability to see how location-targeted mobile advertising is correlated to driving foot traffic and sales.

Wilson plans to introduce a sensor equipped basketball that can discern between made and missed shots and then feed information to a smartphone or tablet.

Due for release later this year, the new product is the result of a partnership with SportIQ, a Finland-based company focused on artificial intelligence, and Wilson’s recently established digital division.

New York – While a majority of the most popular prepaid debit cards charge monthly fees, specific fee structures vary widely. According to a study of 30 of the most widely held prepaid debit cards conducted by Bankrate.com, 83% of the prepaid cards surveyed charge monthly fees, but 33% will waive them, typically based upon the amount loaded onto the card.

Coupons.com is rolling out a service that lets consumers use the Coupons.com website or Coupons.com mobile apps for iOS and Android to add digital coupons to their credit or debit cards from Visa, MasterCard or American Express for automatic redemption at checkout.

Offers are available for restaurants and specialty retailers such as Gap, Old Navy, The Body Shop, Tilly's and Travelocity. The service incorporates technology from the company's recent acquisition of Yub that links offers to payment cards.