News

Armonk, N.Y. – There is a significant perception gap between how well businesses think they are marketing and the actual customer's experience. A U.S. study of 276 marketers and more than 1,100 consumers, developed by Econsultancy for IBM found that almost 90% of marketers agree that personalizing the customer experience is critical to their success.

Despite this widespread agreement, nearly 80% of consumers stated that the average brand doesn't understand them as an individual.

Decatur, Ill. - Decatur Earthmover Credit Union has selected the Buzz Points merchant-funded loyalty program. Buzz Points is free for consumers and allows credit union members to earn rewards by using their debit cards for everyday shopping.   

New York -- Technology is both disrupting and revitalizing retail, according to a new report by Fung Business Intelligence Centre Global Retail & Technology (FBIC).

Ace Hardware is following the omnichannel retail fulfillment trend of free same-day store pickup for online orders.

The retailer had launched the service at some stores in 2014, but is now rolling it out nationwide.

The program “enables consumers in neighborhoods across the country to complete their home maintenance projects more quickly and easily than they were able to before,” Jeff Gooding, the retailer’s senior director of consumer marketing, said in a statement.

On the heels of questions over quality control standards for its herbal supplements, GNC has announced three new marketing partners.

GNC said the new agency partners – Consigliere (brand management/creative/advertising), CROSSMEDIA (media/communications planning) and 22squared (digital and social media) – will help drive profitable growth for the brand.

Dick's Sporting Goods and Golf Galaxy are teaming up to support an organization that promotes youth participating in golf.

The retailers said they will be giving as much as $1 million to the First Tee, an organization focused on positive youth development through the game of golf.

Books-A-Million is trying to increase brand loyalty with two new omnichannel marketing campaigns celebrating customers.

During the month of April, the retailer will host Customer Appreciation Month. The campaign kicks off with Educator Week on April 4 and wraps up with Geek Week, which will offer Stars Wars events and comic book giveaways.

Sears Holding Corp. is looking to raise more than $2.5 billion by selling its stores to a real estate investment trust.

The REIT, called Seritage Growth Properties, will purchase 254 Sears and Kmart stores for more than $2.5 billion and then lease back the Sears and Kmart stores to Sears Holdings. Seritage will partially fund the transaction through a public rights offering.

Retailers are mostly meeting the needs of today’s omnichannel customer, but there’s still room for improvement, according to a new study.

The 2015 Omnichannel Fulfillment Special Report by Kurt Salmon analyzed retailers’ peak-season fulfillment plans and realities to uncover successes, challenges and opportunities for this year.

The PGA Tour Superstore is looking to leverage the popularity of golfer Rickie Fowler with a new marketing campaign.

Fowler, one of the PGA Tour’s rising young stars, will help the retailer introduce a multi-faceted Custom Fit Campaign and Meet Rickie promotion.