News

Franklin, Tenn. – More than $11.6 billion of retail IT spending, or 35% of the total, will come from budgets other than that of the CIO. Of that total “black ops” IT spend, $6.6 billion will come from the activities of the CMO and their purchases of hardware, software, SaaS, and services outside of the CIO budget.

Charlotte, N.C. – Belk is teaming up with social, mobile and digital engagement platform ePrize, as well as Pinterest and Instagram marketing analytics suite provider Curalate to launch a Pinterest campaign aimed at brides called “Pin to Win.” At a high level, during the promotion consumers will visit a sweepstakes microsite where they can "pin" a pre-populated pin board image based on their bridal type or select an image of their own for a chance to win a $5,000 Belk gift card.

NEW YORK — Soupman Inc., the parent company of The Original SoupMan, is about to see "the soup that made 'Seinfeld' famous" hit shelves at nearly 500 Walmart stores. 

The brand's soups, which are already sold in more than 4,000 supermarkets nationwide, include the classic soups that made the company famous: lobster bisque, chicken noodle, lentil and tomato bisque. 

Traverse City, Mich. -- Mobile-shopping application Ozmott has partnered with Harbor Freight Tools to provide an app that will offer discounts in all Harbor Freight locations nationwide through a free mobile platform.
     

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears is touting its Team Up to Stop Bullying program to parents, educators and students during the back-to-school season. The program is open to customers and Shop Your Way members.

Participants can experience the Sears "Jean Scene" activities in four different ways this month.

CHANTILLY, Va. — Small businesses are increasingly embracing mobile and social platform to improve their operational efficiency and promotion, according to the latest findings from local media consulting company BIA/Kelsey’s “Local Commerce Monitor” tracking survey.

Facebook is taking another step toward monetizing its vast audience of plugged-in consumers with the planned introduction of paid video ads. As reported in numerous media outlets, Facebook intends to launch 15-second video ads that will play in a user’s newsfeed three times per day for as much $2.5 million per spot.

Deerfield, Ill. - Walgreens same-store sales increased by 6.3% in July, the retailer reported this morning. Calendar day shifts positively impacted total same-store sales by 1.4 percentage points, while generic drug introductions in the last 12 months negatively impacted total same-store sales by 1.8 percentage points.

Total front-end sales increased 3.6% compared with the same month in fiscal 2012, while same-store front-end sales increased 2.3%. Customer traffic in stores open at least one year decreased 1.2% while basket size increased 3.5%.