Marketing Tactics

New York -- Ann Inc. announced Tuesday at the Clinton Global Initiative that it will expand on its Vital Voices initiative with a program it is calling “Commitment to Action.”

The parent company of Ann Taylor and Loft piloted its ANNpower Vital Voices Initiative in 2011 as a groundbreaking partnership with international NGO, Vital Voices Global Partnership. The effort aims to train and empower young women in the U.S. to create positive social change in their local communities and become the next generation of leaders.

CINCINNATI — Kroger, in partnership with key suppliers, has committed $3 million in donations for local breast cancer initiatives across the country to support National Breast Cancer Awareness month in October.

At the end of this year, Kroger will have donated more than $21 million to support breast cancer research, education and services since Giving Hope a Hand began in 2006.

Minneapolis -- Contradicting claims that showrooming undermines retail sales, new survey results from loyalty management company Aimia revealed that showroomers exhibit more loyal behavior than non-showroomers, making them an ideal target for retailers.

Retail showroomers, who browse for items in-store before using their smart phones to find a lower price online, were also found to be active participants in loyalty and reward programs, according to the "Through the Looking Glass" retail brief released on Tuesday.

Rochester, Minn. — Electric Friends, which produces animal-themed speakers for iPhone and iPod, will be available in Toys“R”Us stores nationwide beginning Sept. 28, featured as an end cap throughout the holiday season.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — As part of CVS Caremark's sponsorship of The Partnership at Drugfree.org's The Medicine Abuse Project, which aims to prevent a half-million teens from abusing medicine over the next five years, the company now is asking its customers to take the project's pledge to learn about teen medicine abuse, to safeguard medicines in the home and to talk to teens about this issue, the company announced on Monday.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Department Stores has entered into a partnership with Derek Lam, who will be the second designer for the retailer’s DesigNation limited-edition collection. The retailer said the upcoming collection will draw creative influence from the designer’s recent trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Kellogg Company and leading Asian agribusiness group Wilmar International have entered into a joint venture involving the manufacture, sale and distribution of Kellogg’s and Pringles brand products in China.

The firms are equal partners in the deal designed to accelerate Kellogg’s growth in a market the company expects to become the world’s largest food and beverage market within five years.

STERLING, Ill. — Personal care products manufacturer Wahl and Petfinder.com have teamed up in honor of National Dog Adoption Month with a unique pet photo contest to support America's shelters.

According to Petfinder.com Foundation, more than eight million animals are placed in shelters annually, but only half of them ever get adopted. The number of dogs adopted is lowest in the months of October, November and December.