Walmart has acquired mobile app developer Small Society in a move that signals both the growing importance of mobile applications in the retail space and retailers’ desire to control as much of the mobile experience as possible.

A common trend in 2011, was the creation of retail mobile applications meant to serve as a utility and to cultivate loyal customers.

Walmart has two new mobile applications designed to help shoppers make purchasing decisions and lay the groundwork for a more personal relationship with the retailer.

Sam’s Club is making it easier for holiday shoppers to find and purchase gifts with a mobile-optimized holiday shopping site, mobile alerts and enhancements to its mobile app.

Pedigree is working with Walmart to help feed homeless dogs via a new QR code program that donates food for every scan.

NEW YORK – An NRG exec said his company tapped SAP AG to enhance its customer relationship management platform by adding mobile and social elements to its direct-to-consumer and business-to-business initiatives.

Almost one year ago we reviewed some of the top retailers’ mobile applications. Now with holiday season here once more, it is time for a second look at those brands, along with a few others.

Brands such as Philips, Hamilton Beach, Elmer’s, Murphy USA and Seagate are offering prizes to consumers who check-in to Walmart, Target and Best Buy via Whrrl.

Walmart Stores Inc. is making a bigger play for holiday dollars with the launch of a new application that complements its mobile Web and SMS efforts but is equally geared to driving traffic to its stores nationwide.

Leading up to the busiest shopping season of the year, membership warehouse club Sam’s Club debuted a mobile Web site and smartphone applications to enhance and simplify the experience.