Marketing Tactics

Despite posting increases in the last few quarters, GameStop was seeing shares drop because its numbers were falling short of analysts’ expectations. But thanks to growth in its mobile business and demand for new game consoles, the company started the year with better-than-expected profit that drove shares to rise 5%.

Polaroid Fotobar has opened a flagship at The Linq, a new, pedestrian-friendly shopping street in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. The two-level, 8,500-sq.-ft. space — part retail, part museum — celebrates the storied history of Polaroid while also tapping into consumers’ love of digital photos.

The Lovely Candy Company has expanded its gluten- and GMO-free line with a gluten-free licorice, which it touts as the first gluten-free extruded licorice product in North America.

Branded as Lovely Licorice, the product is marketed to consumers with food sensitivities such as celiac disease. The gluten-free licorice is the brainchild of company founder Mike Nakamura, whose wife has not been able to have licorice because of her gluten-free dietary restraints. Nakamura founded the company in 2013 as a result of her request for licorice she could eat.

Severe weather may have taken a bite out of Shoe Carnival’s same-store sales, but the retailer still plans on opening 23 to 28 new stores in fiscal 2014, including 16 in the second quarter and seven to 12 in the fourth quarter.

The company reported a 3% year-over-year drop in net income to $9.2 million, from $9.5 million in the prior-year quarter. Net sales increased 1.5% to $235.8 million, from $232.3 million in the prior-year quarter. Same-store sales declined 1.7%

Dublin, Calif. – By controlling inventory and expenses, Ross Stores Inc. was able to report a 4% increase in net income during the first quarter of fiscal 2014 despite bad weather and other negative factors. Net income totaled $243.9 million, up from $234.6 million in the same period the prior year.

First quarter 2014 sales increased 6% to $2.68 billion, up from $2.54 billion in first quarter 2013. Same-store sales rose 1%. Ross Stores expects same-store sales to grow 1%-2% during the second quarter of fiscal 2014.

Mars Chocolate has announced a slew of new products, which range from Mars Bites to Dove Whole Fruit Dipped in Dark Chocolate.

Mars Bites give consumers a taste of their favorite candy bars in bite-size pieces. Mars is adding Twix, Musketeers and Milky Way bites to the portfolio. The suggested retail price is $1.49 for a 2.83-oz. sharing size. A 6-oz. stand up pouch is available for a SRP of $2.99.

Target has further strengthened its marketing organization with the hiring of Kristi Argyilan as SVP, media and guest engagement, effective June 2.  

Argyilan will be responsible for leading and integrating the company’s paid, earned, owned and shared media initiatives.

Argyilan comes to the Target from IPG Mediabrands where she was most recently the president, Magna Global, North America. She has also held senior positions with advertising and integrated marketing agencies including Arnold, Hill Holiday, and Goodby, Silverstein & Partners.

The Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) received a $450,000 grant from Sam’s Club to support women veteran entrepreneurs through its business management training program V-WISE, Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship.