Marketing Tactics

BENTON HARBOR — Whirlpool Corp. is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a number of local events and recognition of employees throughout the world.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation announced that it has urged the Senate to approve legislation that would help create jobs by making it quicker for citizens of Brazil, China and India to obtain visas needed to travel to the United States on business or to shop in U.S. stores.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target, along with The Heart of America Foundation, The Mission Continues and hundreds of volunteers,  announced that it will celebrate the unveiling of newly renovated libraries at Jack Kimbrough Elementary in San Diego on Nov. 10, and Camp Allen Elementary in Norfolk, Va. on Nov. 11. The unveiling events will honor Veterans Day and mark the conclusion of the 2011 Target School Library Makeover program, which included the transformation of 42 elementary school libraries.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. -- Kohl’s Corp. reported Thursday that profit for the quarter ended Oct. 29 rose 20% to $211 million, compared with $176 million in the year-ago period.

The retailer cited cost cuts and strong demand for exclusive brands for the strong performance, which matched Wall Street expectations.

Overall, there was a slight upward trend in both size of inserts and circulation, with a 5% increase in the number of pages per insert and 2 % increase in the average number of inserts across markets.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores said Thursday that it will kick off the holiday season at 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving with three Black Friday sale events.

Black Friday circulars were released Thursday via Facebook and walmart.com to promote the early savings, which include specials on electronics and toys.

"Our customers told us they would rather stay up late to shop than get up early, so we're going to hold special events on Thanksgiving and Black Friday," said Duncan Mac Naughton, chief merchandising officer, Walmart U.S.

SECAUCUS, N.J. — The 2011 Kosherfest confirmed what many in the industry already know — kosher products are in high demand by a growing number of both Jewish and non-Jewish consumers. 

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that it is starting its Black Friday promotions at 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 24), raising the question: "Should we just call it Black Thursday already?"

For the first time, Walmart will open its stores at 10 p.m. to offer customers special savings on top toys, home and apparel. Deals include Barbie dolls for $5 each, a $20 inflatable snowman, a 20-piece Paula Deen cookware set for $86.44 and kids character sleepwear sets for $4.47.