Walmart to accept cash for online purchases, targeting “underbanked” shoppers
A Walmart worker pulls carts in Pittsburg, Calif.
Walmart announced Thursday it will become the first major retailer to allow customers to use cash to pay for purchases made online. The service targets the millions of shoppers that rely on cash and who are wary of using credit cards online, allowing them to choose from an expanded selection of items available on walmart.com and not in stores.
Here’s how it works: shoppers go to walmart.com and place an order. During checkout, they select “cash.” Then, they have 48 hours to pop in to a Walmart store and pay for their order with cash. Walmart will then ship the items to their home or to the store, where they can pick it up.
More information is available here.
Cost a turnoff for consumers buying eco-friendly products, survey finds
A Walmart shopper walks past a line of earth-friendly products.
Sunday is Earth Day and, according to a new report, the financial cost of green products is a turn off for most consumers. According to retailmenot.com, an online coupon site, 46% of consumers surveyed are more inclined to buy a product if it is eco-friendly but 59% are unwilling to pay more for that eco-friendly product or service.
Other findings:
A majority (71%) feel that they are aware of the positive and/or adverse environmental impact of products they purchase.
60% of respondents sometimes take steps to green their homes or lifestyle by recycling, driving energy-efficient vehicles, weatherizing their home, using eco-friendly products, etc. One-quarter, or 25% always take those steps and 15% never do.
18-34 year olds are more swayed by “green” marketing (23% versus 11% of 35-54 year olds.)
25% discount at Banana Republic starts Thursday, raises money for job creation
A shopper carries a Banana Republic bag. The retailer is offering 25% off Thursday through Sunday to support a job creation program.
Banana Republic is offering shoppers 25% off Thursday through Sunday online and in stores for a program that helps create and sustain jobs in America. Create Jobs for USA provides capital grants to banks, which in turn fund loans to underserved community businesses. Five percent of purchases made April 19-22 will be donated to Opportunity Finance Network for the program–up to $500,000. To find out more and start shopping, click here.
Sonic, others to offer Tax Day relief with freebies and discounts
Tuesday, April 17 is Tax Day
There’s only one thing better than a discount– something for free! Retailers have started a tradition of offering freebies and special deals on Tax Day, which this year is Tuesday, April 17. Here are some of the offers I could find:
Sonic Drive-in: happy hour all day, with half-price fountain drinks and slushes.
Cinnabon: two free classic Cinnabon bites at participating stores.
Arby’s: free value-sized curly fries at Arbys with coupon.
P.F. Chang’s: 15 percent off
Chili’s: free appetizer or dessert with purchase of an entree with coupon.
AMC Theatres: free small popcorn with coupon.
Panda Express: free single serving of Shanghai Angus Steak with Facebook coupon.
Anyone find others?
Metro Shoe Warehouse event Wednesday in Norman and Thursday at Quail Springs store
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- MetroShoe Warehouse at Quail Springs
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- Shoes and jackets for sale at MetroShoe Warehouse.
MetroShoe Warehouse is giving customers who try on any Clarks brand shoes a free gift during its Clarks try-on event. It’s going on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Norman, 1806 24th Ave. NW, and Thursday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Quail Springs store., 2240 W Memorial. Time to get shopping!
Lands’ End contest to reward businesses that leave a “lighter footprint”
Lands’ End Business Outfitters is giving businesses an opportunity to win some of its new “Lighter Footprint” polos. The retailer is asking for companies to write in and describe their efforts to leave a lighter footprint on the planet. Essays will be accepted through April 20 at landsend.com/footprint. The top three entries will receive polos with their company’s name monogrammed on them. Lands’ End, a division of Sears, says the polos are made from 67% cotton/30% pre-consumer recycled cotton/3% other. There is also a button-down shirt option. I’d love to hear about the earth-friendly efforts Oklahoma companies.
Sleepwear to raise money for children battling cancer
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- Starry sleeper for babies
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- Starry pajamas for kids
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- Starry pajamas for kids
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- Starry pajamas for kids
One of my favorite children’s clothing retailers, Hanna Andersson, announced it has joined forces with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation to raise money for childhood cancer. The Swedish clothing company will donate 15% of the profits from its starry sleepwear for kids to the foundation. These are the BEST jammies you will buy for your children and these are for a good cause, too! To date, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, a 501(c)3 charity, has raised more than $50 million for cancer research. Buy the pjs online for babies and children.
Survey finds 40% of retail professionals know their CEO
An interesting survey was released yesterday about how many retail workers have met the CEO of the company they work for. According to WorkInRetail.com, CareerBuilder’s job site for retail professionals, 41% of retail professionals have met their company’s CEO. The survey also found:
34% don’t know what their CEO looks like;
39% say they can name some of the corporate-level officers and 23% can name them all;
68% don’t know how much revenue their company generates each year (32% do know.)
The survey polled 600 retail workers between Nov. 9 and Dec. 5.
