Omnichannel

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears is encouraging customer feedback for the products it sells by offering shoppers the chance to vote for their favorite participating charity every time they post a product review. Through its "Love/Hate: Share Your Thoughts, Send Some Love" project, Sears is offering customers the chance to share their opinion -- good or bad -- on products and in return vote for one of four charities to receive a grand prize of $100,000. The participating charities competing for the grand prize  include the American Cancer Society, St.

Seattle -- Retail companies are more able and willing to reinvest in their businesses, as evidenced by sharp increases in 2012 capital expenditure budgets, according to a new white paper released by Colliers International.

Minneapolis -- Best Buy said its profit for the first quarter fell 26% amid higher restructuring charges and lower comparable store sales. However, adjusted earnings topped analysts' expectations and the company maintained its earnings outlook for fiscal 2013.

Best Buy said its profit fell to $158 million in the quarter ended May 5, from $212 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue rose 2% to $11.61 billion, helped by an extra week, and sales of tablets and mobile phones. International sales fell on weakness in China and Europe.

Portland, Ore. -- Safeway launched an online and mobile shopping program, called Just for U, in the company's Oregon and Washington divisions. The program, which delivers targeted savings directly to a customer's Safeway Club Card, can be accessed through the new Safeway Mobile App for iPhone or Android.

By Craig McLaughlin, [email protected]

There is a growing trend in the loyalty rewards space -- using reward points as currency, creating a more holistic, streamlined approach to loyalty programs.

Sam's Club shoppers in Mexico who have a hankering for deep dish pizza will soon be able to satisfy their craving thanks to a new deal with Uno Foods and Sam's Club. Uno's deep dish pizza, artisan thin crust varieties and other items will be distributed at Sam's Clubs throughout Mexico.

PORTLAND, Ore. and SEATTLE — Safeway has launched its Just for U online and mobile shopping tool in its Oregon and Washington divisions. Customers in these areas will now be able receive targeted savings to their Safeway Club card by signing up for free online at Safeway.com or accessing Just for U through the new Safeway Mobile App for iPhone or Android.

Kearney, Neb. -- The Buckle Inc. reported Thursday that profit for the quarter ended April 28 increased 13% to $37.8 million, compared with $33.5 million in the year-ago period, as shoppers spent more in the teen retailer’s stores and online.

Sales climbed 10% to $263.8 million, matching Wall Street estimates, and same-store sales rose 7.4%.

Online revenues surged 15% in the period.