Marketing Tactics

“The economic model of Outlet is the highest return on capital and is where customers gravitate," Gap CEO Glenn Murphy said at an investment conference in New York City, where he revealed the company will close 200 U.S. Gap stores and expand its outlet base.

But don’t expect the stores to be filled with last year’s castoffs.

"I don't want them bringing stripes in the stores if stripes are last year's idea,” Murphy said.

Chicago -- A Friday report by the Quad City Business Journal said that 7-Eleven will rebrand its previously acquired 14-store Mother Hubbard chain into 7-Eleven stores.

After acquiring the Mother Hubbard’s stores in early 2010 from MHC Convenience LLC, 7-Eleven Inc. announced that it plans to rebrand all 14 stores and offer them for franchise. The sale involved 16 Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard stores, but two in Bettendorf, Iowa, are not currently slated for conversion.

New York City -- The Walt Disney Co. will open its first-ever Disney Baby store next year at the Americana in Glendale, Calif., the Los Angeles Times reported.

The company plans to open Disney Baby locations -- one on each coast -- to display the best of its new infant line, according to the report.

The stores will give Disney executives the opportunity to interact with the parents of newborns and refine product offerings that span infant apparel, nursery items and bath products.
 

The Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400 takes place next weekend at the Michigan International Speedway, and Walmart stores near the track are rolling out the checkered carpet to capitalize on race fever. A variety of special events will be held at stores near the track beginning on Wednesday, June 15.

Indianapolis -- Lids Sports Group announced the acquisition of Buckeye Corner stores, which operates four stores in the Columbus, Ohio, area. The acquisition also includes Buckeye’s e-commerce website and a catalog business.

Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

New York City -- Chainstoreage.com columnist Jeff Green challenges the boon of the burgeoning burger concepts, posing the question: “Are burger joints here to stay or just a trendy restaurant theme that will overextend itself and “fall of the map” in a few years?

Check out Jeff’s latest column on the real estate community page: chainstoreage.com/article/burger-bonanza-rare-or-well-done

The latest installment in the dramatic collaboration between Procter & Gamble and Walmart is set to air this Saturday on NBC at 8 p.m. EST. The made-for-TV family movie called “Field of Vision” involves the topical subject of bullying, and in keeping with prior films offer viewers a heavy dose of morality.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — HSN announced that Jennifer Lopez will launch her new fragrance Love & Light exclusively on HSN on July 2.

HSN said it is also offering fans the chance to win a private meet-and-greet with Lopez at the HSN set on July 2. The comany is accepting entries via its Facebook page and HSN.com through June 14.

The prize package will also include:

• Airfare for a winner and guest

• Two nights at the historic Vinoy Renaissance Resort and Golf Club in St. Petersburg, FL