Marketing Tactics

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has become the latest retailer to get its geek on. The discount retailer has teamed up with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, in partnership with DC Entertainment, and will launch an extensive summer collection of exclusive Justice League merchandise. 

New York – In what could be bad news for retailers, “mass affluent” consumers (those with $50,000 to $250,000 in investable assets) and Gen Y (age 18-34) are cutting back on spending to save for retirement. According to the Spring 2013 Merrill Edge Report, the average mass affluent investor expects to save $860,000 for retirement but has only saved $150,000. If given an extra $1,000 per month, 50% of mass affluent consumers would put it toward savings or paying down debt.

Katy, Texas -- The Vista Cos. said that Lindsay Kaye has joined the LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch team as director of marketing and public relations, effective April 23.

Kaye will handle marketing, advertising, event coordination and public relations for the LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch mixed-use development.

Prior to joining The Vista Cos. team, Kaye was promotions manager for Radio Disney.

NEW YORK — Ann Taylor has partnered with celebrity Kate Hudson on an exclusive collection set to debut in Ann Taylor stores next week.

To mark the launch of the limited-edition collection, the retailer will host a White Party at Ann Taylor stores nationwide from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, where guests will be invited to shop the collection. 

The first clients to purchase a piece from the capsule collection during the in-store event will receive an Ann Taylor gift card, courtesy of InStyle.

CINCINNATI — Vantiv, a leading provider of payment processing services and related technology solutions for merchants and financial institutions, is combining point-of-sale redemption technology with the Visa Offers platform for cardholders and merchants of all sizes. 

The upgraded technology will help drive additional value at the point-of-sale. 

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and outdoor fun, so Sam’s Club is taking the opportunity to promote healthy skin and weight management with a series of preventative health screenings from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 11. 

CINCINNATI, Ohio — DunnhumbyUSA, a global leader in building brand value for consumer goods and retail companies, has made changes to its Cincinnati-based senior leadership.

The company has hired Ernest Leffler as VP of global infrastructure and Michele Weissman as VP of client solutions. The company has also promoted Jack Engle to the role of SVP of global products and services.

Tokyo -- Starbucks Coffee Company’s CEO Howard Schultz on Friday celebrated the opening of the new Starbucks Meguro store in Tokyo. The store, whose experience was inspired by the traditional Japanese ‘Ichi-go ichi-e’ service spirit (literal translation: one time, one meeting), is located is the same building as the new Starbucks Coffee Japan Support Center.