Events

ECRM: Retail circular advertising trends, October 2014
ECRM compared retail circular advertising in October 2013 vs. October 2014 and noted trends occurring across top retail chains. CVS and Walgreens increased the number of circular pages seen in October 2014; up respectively by 18% and 11%. Walgreens added 13% more halloween candy promotions, where as CVS added 9% in October comparable. Walgreens used an attractive “Save on Treats” candy promotional page in each October circular, nicely consolidating candy promotions into concise seasonal sections.
Alibaba racks up $2 billion in sales in first hour of annual shopping festival
New York -- Chinese E-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holdings sold about $2 billion worth of goods on its websites within approximately the first hour of its annual shopping extravaganza. This is the sixth year Alibaba has celebrated Singles Day, or 11.11 (named after the date, 11/11), a 24-hour deep-discount festival designed to boost sales during an otherwise weak period in China's sales calendar.

ARTS announces significant updates to data model standards

Washington -- The Association for Retail Technology Standards, a division of the National Retail Federation, on Monday announced the approval of the ARTS Operational Data Model version 7.0, and the ARTS Data Warehouse Model 3.0.
Sport Authority to open on Thanksgiving

For the second year in a row, Sports Authority said most of its stores would open at 6 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.
RadioShack’s “Weird” holiday ad

New York -- RadioShack has brought on rock parody singer Weird Al Yankovich to star in a holiday ad. Yankovic is appearing in the chain's holiday campaign called "Gift Smart.” In the spot, he sings his own unique take on the holiday song “Toyland.”
Call for Entries: Chain Store Age’s Retail Store of the Year Design Competition

New York --Chain Store Age invites retailers, design firms, architects and suppliers to submit entires for its 33rd annual Retail Store of the Year design competition. For more information and an entry form, click here.
EBay launches interactive art auction promo

San Jose, Calif. –- EBay is launching a collaboration with artist and illustrator Mario Wagner to create an interactive art installation in New York City. Titled Art For All, the installation celebrates the recent launch of EBay’s new live auctions experience, which makes a selection of art and collectibles from auction houses around the world available on EBay.
Barnes & Noble honoring veterans

Barnes & Noble is giving thanks to veterans this holiday season with a one-day, in-store-only Veterans Day offer of 15% off Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 NOOK and NOOK GlowLight devices.

This offer is available to veterans, active duty military members and their families on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11, at all Barnes & Noble stores nationwide.
Interactive "Adventure to Santa" comes to GGP malls

A one-of-a-kind interactive holiday adventure awaits families in several malls across the country. General Growth Properties (GGP) today unveiled Adventure to Santa, a DreamWorks DreamPlace holiday experience that starts with Shrek, ends with Santa and blends storytelling with cutting-edge technology.
Dollar General celebrates Veterans Day

Dollar General will honor veterans and their families with a special 11% discount on all qualifying purchases, in-store and online, on Tuesday, November 11, 2014.
Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods To Open on May 21, 2015

Mashantucket, Conn. -- Foxwoods Resort Casino announced that the grand opening of the new Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods will be held on May 21, 2015.
Simon breaks ground on Tucson Premium Outlets

Marana, Ariz. -- Simon broke ground Thursday on Tucson Premium Outlets in Marana, Arizona. The multi-million dollar project will feature more than 90 retailers, and is slated to open fall 2015.