Marketing Tactics

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Winn-Dixie Stores has announced that it will convert all SaveRite-branded grocery stores to conventional Winn-Dixie-branded stores and discontinue the SaveRite banner.

NEW YORK — Macy’s announced Giambattista Valli as the fourth designer in its collaboration series to create a capsule collection for the retailer’s fashion “Impulse” department later this fall. Known for extravagant designs and great party dresses, the collection will be Valli’s first foray into affordable fashion, the company reported.

Washington, D.C. -- A survey released Thursday by the National Retail Federation found that nearly one third of tablet owners will use the device to purchase back-to-school items.

According to NRF’s 2011 Back-to-School and College surveys conducted by BIGresearch, consumers with smartphones and tablets will use their devices to research products, redeem coupons, look up store information, and even make purchases.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Limited Brands reported Wednesday that net income for the second quarter rose a better-than-expected 29% to $231.2 million, compared with $178.7 million in the year-ago period. 

It cited strong full-price sales at Victoria’s Secret and Bath and Body Works for the strong showing.

Revenue rose 10% to $2.46 billion, matching Wall Street expectations. Same-store sales rose 9%.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears Holdings Corp. reported Thursday that its losses for the second quarter widened more than expected to $146 million, compared with a loss of $39 million in the year-ago period.

The operator of Sears and Kmart stores cited aggressive merchandise markdowns as one reason for the poor performance. This is the second consecutive quarterly loss of the company, and its fourth in the last five quarters.

New Albany, Ohio -- Abercrombie & Fitch Co. reported Wednesday that profit for the second-quarter rose 64% to $32 million, up from $19.5 million, on increased demand in the United States and Europe.

Revenue rose 23% to $916.8 million, as previously reported, and same-store sales increased 9%.

Cleveland -- Forest City Commercial Management, in partnership with FaceCake Marketing Technologies, said it is previewing a new technology at three of its California shopping centers that allows mall shoppers to try on a vast inventory of clothing and accessories from multiple stores via the first full-motion, 3D, real-time virtual dressing room.