Marketing Tactics

PITTSBURGH — Dick’s Sporting Goods plans to open a new format focused on runners later this summer.

The new concept called True Runner will be located on Walnut Street in an affluent area of Pittsburgh known as Shadyside, the company said. Dick’s offered no additional details on the opening date, store size or product assortment, but it is clear from the limited comments made by a company executive that the store will focus on running enthusiasts.

Washington, D.C. -- Consumers are using Pinterest to engage with retailers more than Facebook or Twitter, according to a survey released Thursday by Shop.org, comScore and The Partnering Group.

Additionally, the “2012 Social and Mobile Commerce Study” discovered that one third of smartphone owners who shop online share their location with a retailer.

Indianapolis -- LIDS Sports Group has reached an agreement with the University of Florida to operate and manage the official team stores for the Florida Gators. This includes two primary locations within “The Swamp,” as well as other special event concessions for the University’s baseball, basketball, and gymnastics athletic programs, among others.

Boston -- Mobile and social marketing platform-provider Zmags said Thursday that The Container Store has selected Zmags Professional to create interactive digital catalogs designed deepen customer engagement across all channels.
                

NEW YORK — William Ackman, founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, said that J.C. Penney Co. should start to see “real progress” in early 2013. Ackman made his comments in an interview Tuesday on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” Pershing Square owns about 18% of JCPenney.

New York -- J.C. Penney Co. has asked a New York Federal court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the visual merchandising firm Hudson + Broad over the Plexiglass LED square frame used in the chain’s new “Fair and Square” branding campaign, Women’s Wear Daily reported.

New York -- With only a few exceptions, retailers are posting solid gains in May, with such chains as Target, TJX, Ross and TJX Cos. beating Wall Street forecasts for the month. The Thomson Reuters Same-Store Index, which tracks the stores that release monthly sales reports, is expected to rise 3.6% in May.

"Analysts are taking a careful approach to May same-store sales given the cautious tone issued by most retailers on second-quarter earnings guidance," said Ken Perkins of Retail Metrics, in a research report.

Seattle -- Nordstrom and GQ, the popular men’s general interest magazine, announced a multimedia strategy designed to integrate GQ editorial into the Nordstrom online shopping experience.

Nordstrom will host an online store and will feature "GQ Selects," a selection of men's products handpicked from the pages of the magazine by the editors of GQ. Beginning with the July issue, the items will be designated in-book, compiled on GQ.com and available for purchase on NordstromMen.com.