Marketing Tactics

Washington, D.C. - Amazon.com, Inc. has billed parents and other account holders for millions of dollars in unauthorized in-app charges incurred by children, according to a Federal Trade Commission complaint filed today in federal court. The FTC's lawsuit seeks a court order requiring refunds to consumers for the unauthorized charges and permanently banning the company from billing parents and other account holders for in-app charges without their consent.

Warby Parker, the hip online eyewear retailer, has opened its sixth retail location, a 1,050-sq.-ft. store in Dallas.  

ShopAtHome.com, one of the largest coupon search engines connecting shoppers to exclusive deals and cash-back savings, has expanded its product offering to include ShopGold Rewards, a new program that offers free gift cards from major retailers to consumers.

The company said that ShopGold Reward’s launch has positioned it as the “most extreme savings hub anywhere,” and the only site offering coupons, cash back and free gift card rewards in an integrated way through its site and apps.

Dallas -- The Container Store has made POP!, its customer loyalty and engagement, available in its 66 existing stores and on its website.

“Our aim is to make POP! a simple, relevant and engaging program for our customers to help us deepen their relationship with our brand and reward them for their devotion to The Container Store,” said Melissa Reiff, president & COO of The Container Store.

Just a day after reporting first-quarter results, the Container Store has launched POP! — its customer engagement program of Perfectly Organized Perks — in its 66 existing stores and on its website.

Yonkers, N.Y. - Forest City Ratner Companies, the developer and owner of Westchester’s Ridge Hill mall in Yonkers, New York, is adding an indoor skydiving facility, one of only 14 in the U.S.

IFly Indoor Skydiving will break ground this fall with an estimated completion date in early 2015.

Chicago – Mobile is the most popular technology for e-commerce retailers to make a significant investment in. According to the 14th Annual Merchant Survey from The E-Tailing Group, 42% of respondents have made significant investments in mobile optimization.

Toronto -- Town Shoes Limited announced the opening of its first two DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse locations in Canada. DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse will open at Heartland Centre in Mississauga and Woodland Hills in Newmarket, Ontario, on Aug. 7.

The two new Canadian retail locations, each approximately 20,000 sq. ft. will make them the largest shoe stores in the country.