Promotional Strategy

Staples is offering an added incentive to drive traffic to its stores this holiday season. Starting Nov. 3, the retailer will match prices on items sold and shipped by Amazon.com or any retailer that sells products in retail stores and online under the same brand. "Staples is committed to offering great products at the best prices," said Alison Corcoran, senior vice president of North American stores and online marketing. "Staples customers will be able to shop confidently during the holiday season and beyond knowing that we're providing them with all the right products and must-have gifts at the lowest prices."

Americans will be hankering to live more like the Jetsons, snatching up everyday consumer products that talk back and tell users what they need to know (or what they think they need to know). At the same time, retailers will operate more and more like Big Brother, sending shoppers more targeted emails that reflect stores’ increasingly sophisticated monitoring of buying patterns and behavior. Those are two of the five major digital trends that will drive the holiday shopping experience this year, said Kyle Lacy, senior manager of content marketing and research for ExactTarget, a provider of digital marketing software solutions.

Neiman Marcus Group is looking to revitalize its e-commerce business before the holiday season's fervor begins by offering permanent free shipping and returns year-round for all domestic purchases made through neimanmarcus.com and bergdorfgoodman.com as well as at retail locations. By removing some of the burdens that deter consumers from shopping online, Neiman Marcus may see a surge in e-commerce. Additionally, Neiman Marcus Group's move demonstrates that retailers are still adjusting to the digital sphere and determining the right balance between in-store and online.

With our seemingly endless fascination for "The" holiday shopping season — which culminates in important religious holidays like Christmas, Kwanza and Chanukah — we often lose sight of Halloween. But if you've ever worked for a party supply retailer and/or costume supplier (which I have), it's a holiday you never forget. Before the chaos we now call "doorbusters" that occur Thanksgiving weekend, there were the three days before Halloween.

Gilt.com is launching the Gilt Insider Program, a new free rewards program offering Gilt members the opportunity to earn points for free by interacting with the site. Activities such as making purchases, referring friends and visiting online sales earn members points they can redeem for benefits such as access to early sales, exclusive discounts, free shipping and invites to special events.