Pricing

It wasn't that long ago that retail industry experts were saying Target needed to do something to stem the numbers of shoppers heading to Wal-Mart to buy everyday staples. Today, the company is being criticized for the low margins associated with getting greater numbers of people to buy food products in its stores. For a little history, a 2008 report by Citi Investment Research found that 87 percent of consumers perceived Wal-Mart to have lower prices than Target. Many consumers were flocking to supercenters that offered food items not available at locations with the bull's-eye logo.

Newegg Inc., the largest tech-focused pure-play online retailer, announced the official opening of its first-ever "Will-Call" pickup location. Customers of Newegg.com and NeweggBusiness in the Los Angeles area now have the opportunity to save time and money by ordering online and then picking up their orders directly from the Newegg warehouse.

Just in time for Mother's Day, Gucci is selling a limited-edition tote — of which 25 percent of the retail price from each bag sold will be donated to UNICEF HIV/AIDS programs.

Office Depot will recognize educators with a Teacher Appreciation Week that will take place from May 1 through May 7 at nationwide retail store locations.

With the recent economic uncertainty, consumers’ purchasing strategies have dramatically changed over the years. Many are turning to e-coupons not only to save money, but to avoid looking for print coupons and the hassle that comes along with them — i.e., getting in your car, driving across town to find what you're looking for, then standing in line to purchase it.

Following recent research demonstrating coupon distribution in the U.S. increased 6.8 percent in 2010 and that more coupons were distributed during the year than ever before, Coupons.com Incorporated issued its Digital Coupons Trends Report for 2010, releasing data about consumer use of digital coupons.

Offline retailers are knocking on eBay's door and asking its PayPal unit to provide an in-store payment alternative to credit cards and debit cards, the company’s chief executive said.

In a move that's about as subtle as a sledge hammer, Groupon sent out a "Super Coupon" offering $20 of merchandise from Barnes & Noble for $10. This appears to be in direct response to LivingSocial and Amazon teaming up and offering gift cards for $10 following the retail giant’s $175 million investment in the number two daily deals site. That offer sold 1.3 million vouchers for a total of $13 million.

There's been a great deal of talk about the resurgence of consumer spending, and for good reason. Many retailers and organizations went on record to declare this past holiday season the best ever. That doesn't happen unless individuals are feeling more comfortable about their income prospects in 2011.

Price optimization offers Family Dollar a "substantial opportunity," according to Chairman and CEO Howard Levine, with the discount retailing giant seeking improvements in the areas of promotions, everyday pricing and possibly in clearance markdowns. Family Dollar is in a growth mode: its average inventory per store has risen 8 percent compared to last year, and the retailer plans to add approximately 300 new stores and renovate another 600 sites in 2011. Learn more about the chain's wide-ranging commitment to using solutions that increase productivity and boost customer service.