Content about Pricing

April 23, 2013
Express levels shopping field for Canadian customers

U.S.-based specialty retail apparel chain Express has completed its move to parity pricing, in an effort to grow its customer base in the Canadian market.

TORONTO, Ontario — U.S.-based specialty retail apparel chain Express has completed its move to parity pricing, in an effort to grow its customer base in the Canadian market.

Consistent North American pricing for all apparel and accessories available at the retailer will ensure that shoppers throughout the United States and Canada can enjoy the same value and shopping experience. Online shoppers will also be able to take advantage of the parities, including an $8 shipping fee, as well as free shipping on all orders totaling more than $125. 

March 27, 2013
J.C. Penney resumes old pricing strategy

A Tuesday report by Reuters said that embattled J.C. Penney Co. has recently revived its previously abandoned pricing strategy of raising prices on its own brands then discounting them as a way to spike sales and margins.

Plano, Texas -- A Tuesday report by Reuters said that embattled J.C. Penney Co. has recently revived its previously abandoned pricing strategy of raising prices on its own brands then discounting them as a way to spike sales and margins.

Citing an emailed statement by Penney spokeswoman Daphne Avila, Reuters reported that the retailer began changing price tags on merchandise earlier in March and expects to complete the process in April.

March 15, 2013
Lowe's CEO shares pricing strategy

Lowe’s is competing in the price wars -- especially with Internet retailers -- by using the merchant mind-set of “dead net pricing.”

Lowe’s is competing in the price wars -- especially with Internet retailers -- by using the merchant mind-set of “dead net pricing.” 

Speaking at the UBS Global Consumer Conference Wednesday, Lowe’s CEO Robert Niblock described his company’s improvements in the price wars.

February 25, 2013
SymphonyIRI Group forecasts frugal future for CPG spending

The latest research from SymphonyIRI Group’s Times & Trends, “2012 CPG Year in Review: Finding the New Normal,” reveals that budget restraints are still causing consumers to remain frugal in 2013, despite signs of economic recovery.

CHICAGO — The latest research from SymphonyIRI Group’s Times & Trends, “2012 CPG Year in Review: Finding the New Normal,” reveals that budget restraints are still causing consumers to remain frugal in 2013, despite signs of economic recovery. 

February 21, 2013
Card marketer names new CTO

Brian Michon was named chief technology officer at Cartera Commerce, a Boston-based provider of card-based marketing solutions for merchants, banks and loyalty programs.

Brian Michon was named chief technology officer at Cartera Commerce, a Boston-based provider of card-based marketing solutions for merchants, banks and loyalty programs.

In his new role at Cartera, Michon, a former vp of engineering at Intuit, is expected to drive Cartera’s card-linked offer technology strategy and lead the company’s development, operations and solution delivery teams.

February 6, 2013
Hhgregg goes head-to-head with online retailers

Hhgregg announced that it has launched a “Price Match Guarantee” to ensure that its customers receive the lowest advertised prices on merchandise both in stores and online, for up to 30 days after the date of purchase.

INDIANAPOLIS — Hhgregg announced that it has launched a “Price Match Guarantee” to ensure that its customers receive the lowest advertised prices on merchandise both in stores and online, for up to 30 days after the date of purchase.

February 5, 2013
Credit card group takes swipe at NRF

The National Retail Federation has been outspoken in its criticism of credit card fees and now a group called the Electronic Payments Coalition that represents credit unions,banks and payment card networks is firing back, claiming that the retail lobby is making false statements regarding checkout fees.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation has been outspoken in its criticism of credit card fees and now a group called the Electronic Payments Coalition that represents credit unions,banks and payment card networks is firing back, claiming that the retail lobby is making false statements regarding checkout fees.

January 14, 2013
Global tech startup personalizes shopping experience

Global technology startup Synqera has launched Simplate, an in-store point-of-sale terminal that provides real-time business-to-consumer media communications, at the National Retail Federation’s 102nd Annual Convention & EXPO.

NEW YORK — Global technology startup Synqera has launched Simplate, an in-store point-of-sale terminal that provides real-time business-to-consumer media communications, at the National Retail Federation’s 102nd Annual Convention & EXPO.

Synqera describes Simplate as one of the first interactive POS terminals that uses big data, such as customer preferences, behavior, demographics and purchasing information, to provide personalized media communications for on-the-spot marketing.

January 8, 2013
Target touts expanded price match policy

Online prices are now part of Target’s "low price promise" following an adjustment to the three year old price matching program.

Online prices are now part of Target’s "low price promise" following an adjustment to the three year old price matching program.

January 4, 2013
Ace adds instant savings to rewards

Oak Brook, Ill.-based Ace Hardware launched Instant Savings, a program for Ace Rewards members that allows them to receive instant discounts at the register.

Oak Brook, Ill.-based Ace Hardware launched Instant Savings, a program for Ace Rewards members that allows them to receive instant discounts at the register.

“We have made it even easier for our customers to shop with Ace by delivering more value and convenience for them,” said John Surane, senior VP, merchandising, marketing, advertising and paint. “We constantly look for ways to add value for our customers, and Instant Savings is a major new exclusive benefit to our Ace Rewards loyalty program that does just that.”

November 14, 2012
Loyalty Programs: One of the Hottest Trends for Retailers in 2013

By Victor Ho, CEO, FiveStars

September 28, 2012
Spoiler alert: Walmart’s prices lowest to varying degrees

Pricing studies conducted this week by Wall Street analysts yielded familiar results.

Pricing studies conducted this week by Wall Street analysts yielded familiar results.

Deutsche Bank analyst Charles Grom and Citigroup analyst Deb Weinswig issued reports this week comparing Walmart’s prices to dollar stores and conventional supermarkets and Target.

September 26, 2012
Holiday sales to grow as much as 4%

Deloitte is forecasting holiday sales will increase between 3.5% and 4% as the economy's health and the presidential election take center stage among consumers this fall.

Deloitte is forecasting holiday sales will increase between 3.5% and 4% as the economy's health and the presidential election take center stage among consumers this fall.

Despite some distractions this year, retailers should expect a modest increase in 2012 holiday sales, according to Deloitte’s annual holiday forecast release Tuesday morning.

July 27, 2012
JCP teaches a ‘fair and square’ lesson on pricing, marketing and image

When JCPenney first announced its “fair and square” pricing strategy back in January with a great deal of hoopla and fanfare -- complete with a NYC media event attended by 700 people -- there was much hope that former Apple executive CEO Ron Johnson and then president Michael Francis, formerly at Target, would be able to bring some of their retail magic to the stagnant retailer.

PLANO, Texas — When JCPenney first announced its “fair and square” pricing strategy back in January with a great deal of hoopla and fanfare -- complete with a NYC media event attended by 700 people -- there was much hope that former Apple executive CEO Ron Johnson and then president Michael Francis, formerly at Target, would be able to bring some of their retail magic to the stagnant retailer.

July 25, 2012
The Limited turns to First Insight for predictive analytics

Fashion retailer The Limited just got smarter about its purchasing and pricing decisions.

Fashion retailer The Limited just got smarter about its purchasing and pricing decisions.

First Insight, a provider of predictive analytics, announced that it had reached an agreement with The Limited to provide predictive analytics for selecting and pricing new products. The company did not elaborate further on the extent of its relationship with The Limited.

June 27, 2012
Toys"R"Us enhances loyalty program

Toys"R"Us has enhanced its loyalty program with the launch of an all-new integrated, point-based system that delivers streamlined benefits for members, as well as new and existing "R"Uscredit card holders.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R"Us has enhanced its loyalty program with the launch of an all-new integrated, point-based system that delivers streamlined benefits for members, as well as new and existing "R"Uscredit card holders.

June 22, 2012
High income or low, consumers still concerned about price

A new report from Acosta Sales and Marketing reveals that consumers at all income levels consider price before making a purchase, showing that economic concerns affect everyone.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A new report from Acosta Sales and Marketing reveals that consumers at all income levels consider price before making a purchase, showing that economic concerns affect everyone.

June 21, 2012
More studies validate low-price leadership

Week in and week out, Walmart wins on the pricing front with the biggest unknown being the magnitude of the spread between it and competitors, several reports out this confirmed.

Week in and week out, Walmart wins on the pricing front with the biggest unknown being the magnitude of the spread between it and competitors, several reports out this confirmed.

Deb Weinswig at Citigroup looks at prices in three U.S. markets every two weeks and her most recent assessment showed Walmart beating Kroger by 12.1%, Safeway by 17.4%, Supervalu by 20.6% and Target by 4.8%.

April 4, 2012
Survey says – stores clean, service and perishables could be better

Consumer Reports readers who shop at Target gave the company middle-of-the-road marks on service and its perishable offerings, but the company scored better on pricing and received the highest marks possible on cleanliness.

Consumer Reports readers who shop at Target gave the company middle-of-the-road marks on service and its perishable offerings, but the company scored better on pricing and received the highest marks possible on cleanliness.

March 28, 2012
And now a few words about pricing

Target has its low price promise, 5% REDcard Rewards and this week, just in time for Easter, its circular is filled with 50% off deals on toys from Star Wars, Mega Bloks, Disney and Fisher-Price toys.

Target has its low price promise, 5% REDcard Rewards and this week, just in time for Easter, its circular is filled with 50% off deals on toys from Star Wars, Mega Bloks, Disney and Fisher-Price toys. And if those offers aren’t incentive enough to generate a visit to the local Target the company also featured eight free gift card offers ranging in denominations from $5 for any two Procter & Gamble brand products to $35 for a $179 B70 Platinum Edition Keurig brand coffee maker.

January 27, 2012
EDLP: It’s not as easy as Walmart makes it looks

JCPenney got a lot of love this week from investors and the media after the company’s senior leadership unveiled a simplified pricing and promotional strategy that sounded an awful lot like another well-known retailer’s success formula.

JCPenney got a lot of love this week from investors and the media after the company’s senior leadership unveiled a simplified pricing and promotional strategy that sounded an awful lot like another well-known retailer’s success formula.

January 25, 2012
"Fresh Air" era begins at JCP

The transformation of JCPenney into America’ favorite store will begin with dramatically simplified pricing strategy and promotional cadence supplemented by an improved product presentation that will allow the 110-year-old company to regain its personality with a new generation of shoppers, according to CEO Ron Johnson.

NEW YORK — The transformation of JCPenney into America’ favorite store will begin with dramatically simplified pricing strategy and promotional cadence supplemented by an improved product presentation that will allow the 110-year-old company to regain its personality with a new generation of shoppers, according to CEO Ron Johnson.

January 23, 2012
There's no whining in retail

A letter that surfaced last week from Target executives to the company’s suppliers brought back memories of Tom Hanks signature line from the movie A League of Their Own about how there is no crying in baseball.

A letter that surfaced last week from Target executives to the company’s suppliers brought back memories of Tom Hanks signature line from the movie A League of Their Own about how there is no crying in baseball.

January 3, 2012
In case you missed it – more pricing news

There were no new surprises during November regarding prices at Target and Walmart.

There were no new surprises during November regarding prices at Target and Walmart.

December 23, 2011
All quiet on the pricing front as inflation moderates

There were no new surprises during November regarding prices at Walmart, but then that is to be expected. The everyday low price strategy to which Walmart has a newfound adherence is boring and that’s the way the company and presumably its customers like it.

There were no new surprises during November regarding prices at Walmart, but then that is to be expected. The everyday low price strategy to which Walmart has a newfound adherence is boring and that’s the way the company and presumably its customers like it.