Marketing Tactics

Foot Locker is debuting a new retail brand, The Locker Room, in the United Kingdom. The format was unveiled at the end of 2011, in Brent Cross Shopping Centre, North London. Two additional stores opened in spring 2012, in Birmingham’s Bullring shopping center, and in London’s Lakeside center.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Customers looking to get their hands on the new Google tablet can now do so at Staples, as the retailer is offering the Nexus 7 for pre-sale. Nexus 7 8GB and 16GB will be available in Staples stores nationwide and at Staples.com for just $199 and $249 respectively later this month.

Martin Fry has joined Premier Retail Networks as chief operating officer, the company announced Monday.

TOWACO, N.J. — Bosco brand chocolate syrup is making its Walmart debut in 530 stoes in 12 Eastern states including Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.

Bosco which comes in a 22 ounce squeeze bottle is all-natural and vitamin-fortified. Walmart will sell Bosco for $1.98.     

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Vera Wang, famous for her sought-after wedding gowns, knows that many women dream of looking like a princess on that big day, so it makes sense that the designer would bring the "princess" concept to a younger set.

The designer has teamed up wth Kohl’s Department Stores to launch Princess Vera Wang, a juniors contemporary, premium lifestyle collection now available exclusively at Kohl’s stores nationwide and Kohls.com.

TORRANCE, Calif. — Yakult U.S.A. is introducing a probiotic drink to the U.S. market.

Yakult Light, which has nearly two-thirds less sugar and one-third fewer calories than regular Yakult, contains active probiotic bacteria called Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota. The product also is made with natural sweeteners and natural flavors, and is free of preservatives, gluten and high-fructose corn syrup. Unlike regular Yakult products, Yakult Light will tout blue and white packaging, with the red Yakult logo.

PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Hasbro has introduced a new line of its Kre-O brand construction toys inspired by the upcoming "Star Trek" sequel. The Kre-O Star Trek line, under license from CBS Consumer Products, features a variety of vehicles from the movie along with fun Kreon figures based on iconic Star Trek. The collection will make its debut at Comic-Con on July 11.

It may be back to basics in Walmart’s apparel department, but shoppers still crave discounted brands and fashion as evidenced by continued strength at some familiar retailers.

TJX and Ross Stores both posted same-store sales increases of 7% during June, and both companies used the occasion of the better-than-expected results to elevate their profits forecasts. TJX said June sales increase 9% to $2.3 billion, while Ross said its June sales increased 12% to $886 million.