Walmart+ Adds Fuel Savings to Slate of Benefits for Program Members
Walmart+ has announced a new benefit for its loyal members, giving shoppers an additional way to save. Just in time for end-of-summer travel, Walmart+ is joining forces with Exxon Mobil to double the discount Walmart+ members currently receive at Exxon and Mobil fuel stations around the United States. These savings jump from 10 cents to 20 cents off per gallon of gas. The new discount will begin August 15 at nearly 12,000 participating locations and will continue to help drivers save through September 15.
“We know that fuel savings is a huge benefit for our Walmart+ members, one that really adds up,” said Venessa Yates, SVP and general manager of Walmart+. “As gas prices have fluctuated over the last few months, we wanted to do something special to give our members a break, whether they’re hitting the road for the holiday, or just getting back into the busy back-to-school shuttling season.”
Last year, Walmart+ expanded the footprint of its savings benefit sixfold with the addition of about 12,000 Exxon and Mobil stations nationwide. Since that time, Walmart+ members have benefitted from millions of dollars collectively in fuel savings alone.
“We are excited to continue to grow our collaboration with Walmart+ members by offering them 20 cents off per gallon at about 12,000 Exxon and Mobil stations across the country,” said Troy Simms, US Consumer Marketing Director Retail Fuels at ExxonMobil. “We understand the importance of helping families stay budget conscious, while still getting the opportunity to fill up with our Synergy™ fuel technology that not only helps improve fuel economy, but also protects car engines and enables better vehicle responsiveness.”
More details about how the savings work for Walmart+ members can be found here. For more information about how to become a Walmart+ member, please visit https://www.walmart.com/plus.
Yum Brands Move to Digitize Customer Experience
Yum Brands, the parent company of several popular fast-food chains like Taco Bell, KFC, and more, is stepping up its investments aimed at increasing digital sales to customers.
The fast-food conglomerate is aiming at 100% of its global system sales at some point to be driven digitally, with electronic means initiating at least one part of a customer transaction, Chief Financial Officer Chris Turner said on the company’s earnings call on Aug. 2.
This digital payment experience at these restaurants may include more customers placing orders through a Yum-affiliated website or mobile app, through a third-party aggregator, or at a kiosk in a restaurant. Advancements in artificial intelligence could also play a role in how restaurants will take drive-through orders.
Yum’s digital-system sales totaled $7 billion for the quarter ended June 30, exceeding 45% of total global sales for the second consecutive quarter. That is up from nearly 20% just before the pandemic, which accelerated customers’ online orders.
“Time and time again, when we shift sales into the digital channels, we see sales acceleration,” Yum Brands CFO, Chris Turner said. “It really demonstrates how this is such a high return on investment for our franchisees and for us.”
7-Eleven Digitizes Top-Tier Car Meet Up in Popular Online Game, Fortnite
7-Eleven is bringing car fanatics and gaming enthusiasts together for a first-of-its-kind interactive challenge on the world-famous online video game, Fortnite. After partnering with several car aficionados on popular social media websites like Instagram, 7-Eleven is taking car meet ups to the next level by inviting fans to virtually come together for a one-of-a-kind scavenger hunt across three Fortnite maps.
Interested car and Fortnite fans can follow 7-Eleven on social media (@7eleven) for clues to unlock access to a secret island within the game to enter for a chance to win fun prizes. Using these clues that will be revealed on 7-Eleven's social media channels, players can find 7-Eleven branded cars and a special branded map to go along with the virtual car meet up.
Here's how to play:
Download the free Fortnite game on any compatible gaming platform and follow the gameplay instructions to Fortnite Creative mode.
Follow @7eleven on Instagram and X to uncover clues that lead to the location of the 7-Eleven-inspired cars, each hidden on a unique Fortnite map.
Each car holds a portion of a map code – together, all three cars will unlock an epic map that will host the ultimate virtual car meet: "There Car" Island.
On "There Car" Island, players can explore the custom-built 7-Eleven store and gas station and uncover a selection of easter eggs – including a photo opportunity with 7-Eleven-branded cars to prove their attendance.
Players who share their photo from the designated spot to Instagram and X will have the chance to win epic prizes like a custom gaming chair, immortalized gamertag statue to live on the island, $500 in credits for use on 7NOW® Delivery, and weekly fuel discounts at 7-Eleven or Speedway® branded fuel locations.** Users must follow and tag @7eleven and use #7ElevenSweepstakes and #ThereCar in the post.
"We are always keeping a pulse on our customers' passion points so we can show up for them in unexpected ways. We've embraced our customers' love for car culture by re-posting their car selfies, or 'carfies', on Instagram, curating a collection of car-inspired merch, and even designing our own set of wheels with Model 711," said Marissa Jarratt, 7-Eleven's Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing & Sustainability Officer. "We're now going full send by transporting our customers' love for cars to the virtual realm for a one-of-a-kind gaming experience."
Read More on Trends, Updates, and Industry Leaders