Marketing

LYNDHURST, N.J. - Citizen Watch Company of America opened its first-ever global flagship, in Times Square, New York City.    The 1,300-sq.-ft. foot store is designed to appeal to amateur and serious watch enthusiasts alike, with interactive and hands-on displays and exclusive offerings, Multiple 360- degree cases allow for shopping from either side of the case and provide easy movement throughout the store.  

Irving, Texas - Net income increased 36% to $64 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to $47 million in the same quarter last year at The Michaels Companies. A decrease in selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses helped boost profits. Net sales increased by 1% to $1.13 billion from $1.12 billion, while same-store sales decreased by 0.8%. Michaels plans to open two new stores in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.

In an effort to create even more buzz for its holiday promotions, Macy’s will give away $1 million in prizes during Black Friday weekend.  

Using the Macy’s mobile app, customers shopping in-store will be able to scan QR codes to enter the giveaway during doorbuster hours, beginning at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day through 1 p.m. on Nov. 28, and then again on Saturday, Nov. 29, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Worthington, Ohio - Amazon and Nordstrom shoppers plan to increase their holiday spending the most compared to other shoppers, according to a survey by Prosper Insights & Analytics.  The report, “Holiday 2014: Retailers to Watch,”  finds that while overall holiday spending plans are up this holiday season, shoppers will still be looking for sales and big discounts and spending only what they have to, making waves for retailers to navigate this year.   

Minneapolis — Target Corp. gained some momentum going into the holiday season with a third quarter that beat both Wall Street and internal expectations as sales as its U.S. stores exceeded estimates and its troubled Canadian division showed signs of improvement. Its results were also driven by increased promotional activity. This was Target’s first quarter under the leadership of CEO Brian Cornell, who replaced Gregg Steinhafel in August.   

It took a heightened level of promotional activity to drive marginally better than expected third quarter same store sales growth at Target’s U.S. stores while losses in Canada were less severe than the prior year.

CINCINNATI - Americans are divided on the merits of shopping on Thanksgiving Day.  The latest LoyaltyOne research shows there are three kinds of American Thanksgiving Day shoppers:  50% who say all-day shopping hours on Thanksgiving Day are a bad idea; 33% who say stores being open all day Thanksgiving is a great idea that provides more time for holiday gift shopping and 17% who can’t make up their mind.

Lowe’s said its third quarter same store sales spiked 5.1% a day after Home Depot reported an even stronger increase.

Total company sales increased 5.6% to $13.7 billion driven by increased productivity of existing stores as evidenced by a 5.1% comp increase. Home Depot said its third quarter same store sales increased 5.8%. Lowe’s profits increased 17.3% to $585 million while earnings per share increased 25.5% to 59 cents and were aided by $900 million in share repurchase activity.