News Briefs

A new survey reveals that men are increasingly seeking out money-saving habits.

The share of men who search for coupons or promotional codes online rose nine percentage points in the last year, from 34% to 43%, according to new data from market research firm Alter Agents. The percentage of men who shop sales events throughout the year also increased, from 38% to 46%, while use of credit cards that reward purchases rose from 39% to 45%.

Alter Agents noted that participation in traditional loyalty programs remained relatively stable among men, while behaviors that require shoppers to seek out a deal or choose a payment method based on its rewards increased during the study period.

[READ MORE: Survey: Finding bargains 'essential' to consumers' household budgets]

"What we're seeing is a more active approach to saving money," said Rebecca Brooks, CEO of Alter Agents. "Consumers are putting more effort into finding value, whether that's comparing retailers, searching for promotions or changing the brands they buy."

As part of its broader findings, Alter Agents found that approximately half (51%) of Americans say they are cooking more at home and eating out less, while 41% report reducing the number of times they dine out. A similar percentage (39%) say they are purchasing more private label products instead of national brands.

Broken down by age, nearly half (49%) of baby boomers say they are purchasing more private label products, compared to a quarter (25%) of Gen Z consumers. At the same time, 74% of baby boomers describe themselves as brand loyal, compared with 60% of Gen Z.

Amazon is brining its lockers to more college campuses with school around the corner.

The e-commerce giant’s locker network now reaches over 750 locations at colleges and universities across the U.S., giving more students than ever a secure and convenient way to receive online orders. The locations span over 500 campuses nationwide, with some colleges and universities offering multiple locker pickup points.

In total, Amazon’s broader network of pickup hubs spans more than 25,000 locations across the U.S.

“College students are constantly on the move, and picking up a package should fit into their day – not the other way around,” said Viraj Chatterjee, VP of Amazon Transportation. “Expanding Amazon Locker across college and university campuses nationwide puts secure package pickup directly into the flow of campus life.”

[READ MORE: Amazon makes first-ever Prime Air drone deliveries outside U.S.]

Students can have eligible orders delivered to a campus Locker at no additional cost and pick them up on their schedule. They can search by address or ZIP code to find a nearby locker, add it to their Amazon address book, and select it as the delivery location at checkout for eligible orders. Students can also review the operating hours and directions for each location.

When a package arrives, Amazon sends an email with instructions for opening the locker using a code, barcode or the Amazon Shopping app. Packages are held for three calendar days, and orders that aren’t collected during that window are automatically returned and refunded.

GameStop may be stepping back from its months-long pursuit to acquire EBay.

Ryan Cohen, CEO of the video game retailer, is considering withdrawing the company's $56 billion bid to purchase the online marketplace giant as he weighs different ways to work with the company, reported Bloomberg. In May, GameStop submitted an unsolicited, non-binding proposal to acquire 100% of eBay at $125 per share in 50% cash and 50% stock in a deal valued at $56 billion. The offer was rejected by eBay, with chairman Paul S. Pressler calling it “neither credible nor attractive.” 

According to the Bloomberg report, Cohen is now considering proposing a partnership or joint venture that would enable eBay to leverage GameStop’s roughly 1,600 U.S. store locations. In turn, the video game retailer, as one of eBay’s largest shareholders, would seek a seat on the company’s board, Bloomberg reported. Cohen has not yet finalized any decision, the report said, and he could consider other options.

Since its offer was rejected, GameStop has raised its stake in eBay to 9.75% (as of July 15). It is the company’s second largest shareholder, second only to Vanguard Group Inc. funds, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

A regional grocer is bringing loyalty, fuel rewards and digital promotion capabilities to its five-store network in northern Wisconsin.

Trig’s Markets, a division of T.A. Solberg Co. Inc., is deploying the RSA America unified commerce platform at its stores in Rhinelander, Minocqua, Manitowish Waters, Eagle River and Tomahawk, Wis. The retailer is managing loyalty, digital promotions, and fuel reward redemptions through a single system that includes a native mobile app, in-store kiosks, loyalty program, digital promotions engine, and fully integrated fuel rewards. 

In addition, Trig’s Markets leverages the RSA Always On Grocery solution to extend its digital experience to online ordering, while the in-store kiosks provide shoppers access to digital coupons, loyalty benefits and personalized offers while they shop. 

"For Trig's, fuel rewards are more than a promotion,” said Ravi Achanta, CEO of RSA America. “They're a core part of how the company builds loyalty with shoppers. Our platform allows Trig's to connect fuel rewards, loyalty, and digital promotions into a single experience, making it easier for customers to save and easier for the business to understand what drives engagement.”

[READ MORE: Redner’s Markets unifies loyalty and e-commerce on single platform]

Trig's is part of the larger T.A. Solberg Company, Inc., which operates Trig's Village Market in Manitowish Waters, several fuel and convenience stores throughout northern and central Wisconsin, Trig's Trucking Facility, Trig's Recycling Center, Tasmania Northwoods Resort, and Postal Express Mailing & Shipping Services in Eagle River, Minocqua and Rhinelander, Wis.

Best Buy Co., Inc. has reached a milestone anniversary and is celebrating across channels.

The consumer electronics giant opened in August 1966 as a small audio shop in St. Paul, Minn. and now operates hundreds of stores across North America. Best Buy is honoring the occasion with several omnichannel offerings.

From Monday, Aug. 17 through Sunday, Aug. 23, BestBuy is running a sale in stores and on its e-commerce site and app. During the company’s official anniversary weekend (Aug. 21–23), it will introduce a refreshed lineup of more offers, including deals on technology items like iPads, headphones and laptops. 

Throughout the sale, members of the My Best Buy Plus and Total tiers of its My Best Buy Memberships loyalty program can earn 10% back in rewards, up to $60. Members can also earn 15% back in rewards on their first day of purchases when they are approved for the My Best Buy credit card.  

On Saturday, Aug. 22, six special Anniversary Day offers will be available exclusively in stores, including a gift card offer. The company is also teaming up to offer custom Nexbie 3D-printed Best Buy anniversary shoes, available for purchase on BestBuy.com. In addition, customers can submit photos of their oldest phones, TVs, gaming systems and other used technology on BestBuy.com for a chance to win anniversary prizes.

Finally, Best Buy is expanding its partnership with tech influencer, reviewer and video creator Marques Brownlee to trace the journey of the telephone over the last 60 years, and how Best Buy has been there through every upgrade along the way. An ad takeover on Brownlee’s YouTube channel has begun.

[READ MORE: Best Buy launches new influencer program]

Citi Trends remains on an upward trajectory.

The off-price value retailer of apparel, accessories and home trends primarily for Black families said that its second quarter preliminary unaudited sales results include comparable store sales growth of 10.5%, or 19.7% on a two-year basis. The increase marks Citi Trends’ eighth consecutive quarter of comp sales growth.

For the year-to-date period through the second quarter, the retailer’s preliminary unaudited sales are $442.5 million with comparable store sales growth of 12.2%.

Citi Trends plans to open 25 stores this year in a mix of existing and new markets, and remodel 50 locations. It’s preparing to accelerate expansion in 2027.

“Customers are responding to our enhanced merchandise assortments and improved value proposition, while our teams remain focused on disciplined execution, converting sales into profit, and accelerating growth,” said CEO Ken Seipel. 

[READ MORE: Citi Trends to open 25 stores, remodel 50; momentum continues in Q1]

Citi Trends delivered second-quarter sales increases over last year in every merchandise category due to an elevated focus on improved value equation on wear-now product for the summer season, which in turn drove consistent transaction and basket growth in each month, Seipel noted.

“Our unwavering commitment to the Black consumer remains at the center of everything we do, and we are building long-term shareholder value while staying true to our purpose of serving the neighborhoods that depend on us,” he said.

 Citi Trends operates 594 stores located in 33 states.