Digital Marketing

Sam's Club this month introduced Rue 33 ultra-premium, private-label vodka to the 241 stores that sell liquor. (See Images at right.) The product is the first spirit to launch under the chain's Member's Mark brand, which includes several wines.

Kroger Co. launched a "mobile" rewards program in December 2009 while also ending its digital-coupon relationship with Procter & Gamble.

Macy's will count down to Valentine's Day with a sweepstakes conducted via Twitter.

If it is, in fact, a word, then "multifunctionality" was the defining one at the 2010 NRF Show this month.Many of the products and services being showcased by exhibitors at the National Retail Federation's annual trade show weren't brand new in terms of their driving technology or defining function

In November, Walgreens relaunched its website to introduce functionality that makes managing prescriptions easier. The site's expanded options now include express refills, auto refills and refill reminder e-mails. Circulars and signs promote the relaunch.

7-Eleven last month conducted a mobile marketing test at approximately 200 stores in San Diego. Consumers who texted "fast" (or, "rapido," the Spanish translation) to a promotional number received a coupon for a free Slurpee, Big Gulp or coffee.

Delhaize America's chains are beginning to join the ranks of supermarkets adopting mobile technology to deliver promotions.Food Lion recently launched a "Mobile Club" that delivers coupons, free-product offers and information about other promotions via mobile phones.

Sears last month launched a free iPhone application that helps consumers find products by sending pictures to the retailer's staff.Created in-house, the "Sears Personal Shopper" app builds on the retailer's existing personal shopping service, which debuted in mid-2009 to offer assistance via phone

ShopRite is turning its attention to mobile marketing through a series of technology-driven service launches.In November 2009, the supermarket chain teamed with Colchester, VT-based MyWebGrocer to introduce a free Apple iPhone application that delivers weekly circulars.

BP's ampm chain continues to focus heavily on proprietary food, offering such deals as two-for-$2 burritos, two-for-99 cents donuts, and 79-cent hot dogs, corn dogs, hamburgers and cheeseburgers. Other recent "2-for" deals include PepsiCo and Red Bull products.

Walmart's extensive push for electronics this holiday season gained some technological assistance this month when the chain introduced an application for the Apple iPhone.The Walmart App lets users search for electronics products, locate the nearest store, make purchases and share product informati

Target is using temporary shops and technology to reach beyond its stores for holiday shoppers.