Marketing Tactics

New York -- As technology transforms multichannel retail into hyper-channel, “always-on” retailing, chains must emotionally connect with consumers as never before, according to Joseph Bona. Bona, president of branded environments for New York City-based brand agency/retail design firm CBX, is one of the featured speakers at Chain Store Age’s upcoming 50th annual SPECS conference,  March 9 -12, Grapevine, Texas.

By Mark Ledbetter, Global VP Retail Strategy, SAP

The changing nature of retail combined with an ever-greater reliance on data is forcing retailers to adjust their workforce and employee skill sets accordingly. From a customer experience standpoint, most retailers are transitioning to a brick-and-click model that aims to ensure customers have a seamless shopping experience regardless of which channel they use.

In much the same way that warehouse club operators offer exclusive benefits to members so they upgrade to premium levels, Amazon continues to enrich offerings available to Prime members who pay an annual fee.

Prairie Farms Dairy has rolled out a line of Old Recipe Seasonal Favorites Milk in three flavors: Jelly Bean, Chocolate Marshmallow and Easter Egg Nog.

According to the dairy, the milk is ultra-pasteurized and has an extended shelf life of 75 days, and all flavors are produced using milk from cows not treated with artificial growth hormones.

New York -- Uniqlo is remodeling the second floor of its Manhattan flagship on Fifth Avenue, and will reopen it on March 28 as the “SPRZ (Surprise) NY Store.” The renovated space will include the introduction of the “Starbucks Experience,” a full-service coffeehouse.

Charlotte, N.C. — Belk has announced a $12.6 million expansion and renovation of its store in Cool Springs Galleria, a 1.1 million-sq.-ft. mall in Franklin, Tenn., a suburb of Nashville. CBL & Associates Properties and TIAA-CREF own the center jointly.

Belk plans to create a new fashion flagship store for the greater Nashville region.

Oral-B has launched of an oral care app for children called the Disney Magic Timer App by Oral-B.

Created in collaboration with Disney and powered by DreamPlay, the oral care app is designed to helps kids increase brushing time, which, according to the company, is identified by dentists as an area of concern and improvement for children.

Canton, Mass. – Dunkin’ Donuts is recruiting franchisees in Dothan, Ala. Currently, there are 18 Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants located throughout Alabama. To help fuel growth in Dothan, special development incentives are available, which include reduced royalty fees for three years and up to $10,000 in local store marketing.