News Briefs

Duluth Trading Company has overhauled its POS system, replacing its traditional tech with a single commerce platform for all in-store commerce, including POS, MPOS, Scan and Go, curbside pickup, and more. 

The company’s new system, powered by Tata Consultancy Services’ (TCS) OmniStore, allows Duluth to expand its existing channels and consumer touchpoints by introducing flexible, omni-channel consumer journeys. 

Store associates will be able to access a real-time view into universal carts, promotions and orders, and item information and inventory in order to upsell and cross-sell and offer personalized recommendations.  

The company has implemented the tech to improve checkout speed and simplified return capabilities in order to provide a better consumer experience. 

[Read more: Duluth Trading Makes Its 'Largest' Investment Yet, Automation Plays a Big Part]

Christopher Teufel, senior vice president of IT and logistics at Duluth, said the company can now provide a broader offering at the register. 

“This was an important part of our successful selling approach this past holiday season,” he added. “We’re excited to roll our mobile solution across the retail chain in early 2023 and to learn more about how we engage our customers in new ways within our store fleet.”

Shankar Narayanan, business group head, retail cluster, at TCS, said it is working with Duluth to reimagine in-store consumer experiences. 

Kohl’s has completed a nationwide rollout of its new Kohl’s Rewards program enhancement that will offer more value on their purchases.

All Kohl’s Rewards members that use their Kohl’s Card for payment will now get an elevated earn rate of 7.5% Kohl’s Rewards on every purchase. Kohl’s Rewards members also receive personalized deals and perks throughout the year, and a special birthday gift.

Previously, all Kohl’s Rewards members would earn 5% Kohl’s Rewards, regardless of payment method, making this enhancement a new benefit for the millions of Kohl’s Card cardholders who are also Kohl’s Rewards members. Any Rewards member that chooses an alternate payment method will continue to receive 5% Kohl’s Rewards. Kohl’s Rewards balances are converted and issued in $5 increments of Kohl’s Cash coupons on the first day of the following month, valid for 30 days. All Rewards customers will continue to earn $10 Kohl’s Cash for every $50 spent on qualifying purchases during Kohl’s Cash promotional events to use during designated redeem periods.

“Customers love our simplified Kohl’s Rewards program that leverages personalized offers and Kohl’s Cash,” said Greg Revelle, Kohl’s chief marketing officer. “We partnered closely with store associates and customers to understand how we could make our benefits even more robust. Now, we’re taking our industry-leading Kohl’s Card to the next level by offering customers 50% more in Rewards every time they use their Kohl’s Card, providing them stronger everyday value when they shop at Kohl's.”

Over the past year, Kohl’s has been piloting the enhanced cardholder Rewards offering in more than 100 stores across eight markets and has been met with an overwhelmingly positive response from Kohl’s Card cardholders earning more and getting the best value from their card on every purchase. In the pilot markets, Kohl’s saw an increase in Kohl’s Rewards enrollments, more Kohl’s Card acquisitions and usage, and an overall sales lift. The success of the pilot program led to the company’s decision to roll out the benefit to all markets nationwide.

The Kroger Family of Companies recently launched a spring event to support a hiring blitz, looking to fill 23,000 open roles across several departments, including retail, e-commerce, manufacturing, supply chain, merchandising, logistics, corporate, pharmacy, and healthcare. 

On April 30, the company hosted its third nationwide hybrid hiring event, holding virtual interviews from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET for virtual interviews, and within the same time period, on local time, nationwide for on-site interviews. 

[Read more: Kroger and Bed Bath & Beyond Launch Multi-Category Omnichannel Experience]

Kroger has made changes to its hiring strategy, bolstering benefits and increasing hourly wages. The company highlighted the following:

• $1.2 billion invested in associate hourly wages and training in the last four years, and more than $450 million in 2021 
• Average hourly wage increased to $17, totaling more than $22 per hour with benefits
• $21,000 available for tuition reimbursement for part-time and full-time associates, covering GED to PhD 
• Free counseling sessions and access to BetterHelp, Whil, and the Well-Being Assistant, powered by Magellan Health
• Role-specific training and resources, including leadership, career development, and diversity, equity and inclusion training
• Flexible scheduling, an advance pay option, and discounts on groceries, electronics, streaming services, travel, and more

"After our successful fall hiring event, we are eager to once again open our doors — virtually and in-person — to welcome new members to our our organization," said Tim Massa, Kroger senior vice president and chief people officer, ahead of the event. "Hosting a hybrid event allows us to reach and interact with more candidates in the way that works best for them while also showing them the many fresh, uplifting career opportunities available across our company."

Marketing and creative agency EIQ BrandLab, operated by RIS’s parent company EnsembleIQ, has won seven AVA Digital Awards for digital excellence. 

The AVA Digital Awards is an international competition that recognizes excellence by creative professionals responsible for the planning, concept, direction, design, and production of digital communications. They are awarded by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP).

Each of the award-winning entries were developed in partnership with clients ranging from CPG brands to enterprise technology companies. 

Platinum Awards

• Web Interactive Capabilities: Convenience Store News and EJ Gallo, Just Chillin’: How to Get More Out of Ready-to-Drink Beverage Sales 
• Native Advertising: Progressive Grocer, Europe, Home of Cheese 
• Website, Shopper Marketing: Progressive Grocer and Anheuser-Busch, IGNITE

Gold Awards

• Website Redesign: EnsembleIQ
• Microsite: Consumer Goods Technology and SAP, Reimagine Consumer Products 
• White Paper: Consumer Goods Technology and Google, Retail and CPG Reinvented
• Web Infographics: Progressive Grocer and Bumble Bee, Seafood Future: Bumble Bee Eliminates Plastic Waste

Darren Ursino, vice president of brand engagement at EnsembleIQ said that EIQ BrandLab aspires to be “a true firebrand in business marketing.” He added the brand is honored to work with forward-thinking companies across the retail, healthcare, and hospitality industries. “We are very proud to have been recognized by the AVA Digital Awards for our work.”

Joe Territo, executive vice president of content and communications at EnsembleIQ stated that the company’s redesigned corporate website, which was created by EIQBrandLab, has been well received. 

“We are very pleased to have received this honor from the AVA Digital Awards,” he added.

This was first posted on the site of sister publication CGT.

Floral brand 1-800-Flowers.com is launching into the NFT space just in time for Mother’s Day. 

To celebrate the holiday, the brand released two collections featuring illustrations by artists Devi Namira and Maaz Rahell, that reflect “the special and unique bond fostered between a child and mother.” The company stated that 1,800 distinctive PFPs (profile pictures) are a nod to the brand’s name and pay tribute to “how moms blossom their children through love and affection.”

The first collection, called “Moms Run the World,” features backgrounds with strawberry fields that represent the brand Sherri’s Berries while pear trees showcase Royal Riviera pears from Harry & David. The images also feature flowers and accessories. 

Each image is randomly generated to provide a “one-of-a-kind” experience.

[Related: Pacsun Dives Deeper Into Metaverse With Pac Mall Rats NFTs]

According to the company, a second collection — “The Love of a Mom” — features 180 one-to-ones showcasing “a mother’s nurturing hands guiding their child through the ever-blooming garden of life.” This collection includes 12 unique NFTs with multiple copies of each. 

The brand’s NFTs are being minted on Polygon. There are no gas fees for anyone that is pre-approved to receive an NFT. Those who are pre-approved can enter for a chance to win a free mint NFT and a year of flower deliveries for a mother figure in their life. Contest details can be found here. 

“1-800-Flowers.com has a history of innovation and always strives to be at the forefront of where consumers are going next,” said Jason John, chief marketing officer, 1-800-Flowers.com. “These collections are a great way for us to test in this space as we delve into the possibilities within Web3 and gain a better understanding of our customers’ interest in digital products. We’re excited to officially be part of the NFT community!”

Abi Sachdeva, chief technology officer for 1-800-Flowers.com, said that introducing customers to blockchain has been an inspiring journey, adding that the company is still in an early stage of understanding the opportunities and challenges related to these technologies. 

“One thing we know is that Web3 — a vision for a decentralized internet built on blockchain technology — has infinite possibilities, and we are ready to ride that wave,” he added.

Retail pricing technology company DemandTec by Acoustic has launched a new AI-powered price optimization platform, Autonomous Pricing On Demand. The technology allows mid-market retailers to better respond to market and consumer behavior fluctuations.

Capabilities include intelligent pricing across zones and categories, weekly price optimization recommendations, a dedicated pricing team, time-to-value in four to six weeks, and annual subscription-based pricing. 

According to the company, the solution eliminates cost, training, and resource barriers, as well as improves price perception to grow revenue up to 3% and margins up to 5%. 

[Read more: Five Truths, No Lies]

“Competing in today’s economy — riddled with record-breaking inflation, growing consumer price sensitivity, and continuing supply-chain challenges — is increasingly difficult,” said Anis Hadj-Taieb, general manager for DemandTec. “Retailers of all sizes need access to AI-powered capabilities to rapidly respond to changes in the market and consumer demand with intelligent pricing.”