Marketing Tactics

NEW YORK — Macy's on Sept. 12 will debut a new fashion line from Nicole Richie. The Nicole Richie for Impulse collection will include 1960s and 1970s influenced silhouettes, prints and fabrications and be sold at approximately 100 Macy’s stores and on Macys.com/impulse.For the first time, Macy’s Facebook fans will be the very first to shop the collection at facebook.com/macys before it hits stores Wednesday.

With the political conventions coming to an end, it’s clear now that election season is in full swing. And, while I don’t pretend to know what the long-term implications of an Obama re-election or a Romney win would mean for our economy or our country, I do think that what happens on Nov. 6 will almost certainly have an impact on our industry — particularly, shopper sentiment and ultimately holiday sales.

Philadelphia -- Three-fourths (75%) of retailers forecast an increase in holiday sales this year, according to a survey by Hay Group, a global management consultancy.

The annual Seasonal Staffing Survey report also finds that retailers have more confidence in holiday hiring plans. While 57% of retailers plan to hire seasonal workers at the same level as 2011, 36% say they will be hiring more. This stands in contrast to 2011 when just 10% planned to hire more seasonal workers than the year prior.

NEW YORK — Macy's is paying homage to the TV sitcom with its new, "What's in Store?" campaign.

The campaign, which debuted on Sept. 10, will consist of a series of comedic shorts featuring new Macy’s Herald Square store manager, Harold, as he collides with the many stars and wacky situations that make the “World’s Largest Store” a haven for the fun and fashionable.

Woodland Hills, Calif. -- Casual Male Retail Group is taking a new approach with merchandising and store set-ups for the nationwide roll-out of its DestinationXL (DXL) format, which brings together its value, mid-range and luxury men's apparel under one roof. The chain has outsourced the store set-up function to Great American Group, Woodland Hills, Calif.

Beachwood, Ohio -- DDR Corp. has announced the appointment of Martin McGreevy as senior VP and chief marketing officer for the company.

McGreevy is charged with establishing and executing the company's corporate messaging, branding and marketing strategy.

Prior to joining DDR, McGreevy was president of Cyclonix Inc., a San Jose, Calif.-based marketing and consulting firm.
 

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Shopko has expanded its line of private brand consumable products with the introduction of approximately 70 new items.  The new products are available in stores now and include primarily health and beauty products and cleaning products.

Seattle -- Nordstrom announced it has begun selling the trendy British fashion brand Topshop and Topman at 14 select Nordstrom stores across the country and on its website. Merchandise deliveries will be made on a weekly basis, with an expanded collection available online.

In addition, the Topshop make-up collection will launch in select stores and online in late 2012.