Marketing Tactics

By Ron Harwood, [email protected]

We have all seen the sales people come through the office claiming to have the answer to our lighting energy and efficacy concerns. Virtually every “pitch” will deal with LEDs, and only a rare few will be touting the older fluorescent and the new, almost miniature metal halide lamps.

New York City — Robert K. Futterman & Associates said it has secured a 1,500-sq.-ft. retail space for women’s apparel brand WINK at 129 Prince St., located between Wooster and Prince Streets in SoHo.  

WINK, which currently has a store at 155 Spring St., is scheduled to open its new Manhattan location this summer.  

 The new store will join co-tenants Apple, Lucky Brand, Cole Haan, Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren.

MONTREAL — Mega Brands announced that it has extended its licensing agreement with Hit Entertainment to  develop construction sets based on Thomas & Friends.

Under the expanded contract, Mega Brands is granted the global rights to create all-new construction toy sets based on the exciting world of Thomas & Friends, including new iconic characters and Island of Sodor destinations straight from the popular long-running television series, according to a press release.

Walmart took prices up in April, and the average gap with competitors narrowed to 16.8% from 17.8% the prior month, according to the most recent monthly survey of prices conducted in the Dallas and Chicago markets by Credit Suisse. The firm also found that Walmart has been among the most aggressive in terms of passing through inflation to customers. During the past three months, Walmart’s prices on the 60 food, health and beauty and household items the firm tracks each month increased 2% during the past three months and over the past year prices have risen by 3.6%.

Suffern, N.Y. — Ascena Retail Group Inc. said Wednesday that its fiscal third-quarter profit rose 8% on increased sales at its Dressbarn, Maurices and Justice clothing stores.

The retailer, formerly known as The Dress Barn Inc., reported net income of $51.8 million for the three months ended April 30, up from $48 million in the year-ago period.

Revenue rose 9% to $722.8 million from $665.5 million in the same quarter a year ago. Dressbarn revenue rose 5% in the quarter, and Maurices revenue jumped 17%. Justice sales rose 6%.

Gurnee, Ill. — Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group announced that Macy’s will open at Gurnee Mills, the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in Illinois.

The nearly 140,000-sq.-ft. Macy’s full-line department store is slated to open in spring 2013. It will anchor a new full-price wing at the center, adding a new dimension to Gurnee Mills’ value shopping experience. 

Have you seen the new ad campaign from Newegg.com? The online electronics retailer recently began airing spots that take aim at Best Buy the same way ads Best Buy ran back in 2009 took aim at Walmart.

Walmart has pledged $1 million in relief efforts to help the tornado victims in Joplin, Mo. It also is working to direct truckloads of water, food and other basic items to Joplin.

The company reported that its Joplin store number 59 was able to implement its severe weather safety plan and help save hundreds of lives. However, the Walmart store near Rangeline Road was significantly damaged, as the company reported the tornado went through the building causing some injuries and fatalities.