Marketing Tactics

Salisbury, N.C. -- Food Lion announced it has selected Boston-based Mullen as its advertising agency of record. Mullen will be responsible for developing Food Lion's advertising campaigns and partnering with the company on integrated marketing initiatives in support of the Food Lion brand.

Mullen succeeds Ames Scullen O'Haire as the agency of record. The terms of the contract were not disclosed, and new creative and advertising could take effect as early as first quarter 2012.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion announced that it has selected Mullen as its advertising agency of record. Mullen will be responsible for developing Food Lion's advertising campaigns and partnering with the company on integrated marketing initiatives in support of the Food Lion brand. 

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Catalina Marketing has named John Miles as its new EVP and CIO. As Catalina’s EV{ and CIO, Miles will be responsible for leading IT strategy, research and development and new product development.

Since 2009, Miles served as a senior member of the Dell leadership team and CIO for its global commercial and consumer businesses. He has also held senior executive and technology positions with Lowe’s and Lend Lease Inc., as well as consulting positions at Arthur Anderson and Booz Allen Hamilton.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Momentum remains on the side of Family Dollar, as the company late Thursday reported another quarter of record sales and profits and the opening of 101 units, which included its first stores in California.

Hampshire, United Kingdom -- The global redemption rate of mobile coupons will average at over 8% by 2016, which represents an eightfold increase over the best paper coupons campaigns, according to a new report from Juniper Research. North American and Western European markets are now beginning to follow the same growth path as the Far East & China and by 2016 there will be over 600 million regular mobile coupon users worldwide.

Just when it looked like Walmart shares might be ready to make a run earlier this week after poking above $60 for the first time in more than three years, along came Target to spoil the party.

Minneapolis -- Best Buy Co. reported Friday that December sales were less than the company anticipated, as fewer-than-expected shoppers filled the retailer’s stores over the holiday selling month.

Same-store sales fell 1.2% in December, an improvement from the 4% drop in the same period last year.  Total revenue was flat at $8.4 billion. Its online division shone, recording a 26% rise in revenue for the month.

Despite the lackluster showing in December, Best Buy reaffirmed its annual guidance.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has disclosed the location of its first 24 stores in Canada. As previously announced, Target purchased the leasehold interests of 189 sites currently operated by Zellers Inc., and plans to open 125 to 135 stores in Canada, the majority of which will open in 2013.

Target plans to open stores in the following locations in March/early April 2013:

• London Westmount, Westmount Shopping Centre

• Kawartha Lakes, Lindsay Square Mall