Marketing Tactics

New York City -- The Home Depot partnered with Scanbuy to launch a national communications strategy utilizing mobile barcodes enabled by Scanbuy’s ScanLife system. The initiative incorporates 2D bar codes (QR codes) that give customers immediate access to such information as product rating and reviews, How-To guides and videos on specific products.

Toronto -- Canadian golf retailer Golf Town said Thursday it has opened its first five stores in the United States, all located in the greater Boston area.

The $25 million U.S. market expansion includes stores in Avon, Bellingham, Reading, Seekonk and Watertown, Mass., all of which opened on March 24 and total about 100,000 sq. ft. A sixth store is slated to open in Northborough, Mass. in the fall.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores said it will open a new office in Atlanta, positioning the retailer to more effectively manage nearly 1,600 stores in 20 eastern U.S. states and allow it to focus on opportunities to grow its business in states such as New York.

The new eastern business unit will be run by Rosalind Brewer, president of Walmart East and executive VP of Walmart U.S.

Freeport, Maine -- L.L. Bean announced it will implements free standard shipping to all United States and Canadian addresses effective March 25.

“We tested free shipping offers with no minimum purchase for several months and the customer response was overwhelming,” said Chris McCormick, president and CEO, L.L. Bean, Freeport, Maine. “It’s our opportunity to offer free shipping for all U.S. and Canadian customers with no minimum purchase, no end date, no conditions -- guaranteed.”

Recently I had one of the most immersive, exciting shopping experiences ever. I got to play with a bunch of cool products and to engage with employees and other shoppers who had similar tastes and interests as mine. The experience whetted my appetite for more products and I left totally pumped up about several brands. I told several people about my experience and they wanted to go check it out themselves. 

Citrus Heights, Calif. -- Sunrise MarketPlace said Tuesday it has partnered with Mallfinder to launch a redesigned website promoting more than 400 merchants and services in the Citrus Heights, Calif., business improvement district (BID).

The new site, shopSMP.com, is intended to establish the online presence of Sunrise MarketPlace as a premier shopping destination for the Sacramento metro area. A comprehensive gallery features pages for each merchant to provide up-to-date information for shopping, dining, entertainment and services.

LA JOLLA, Calif. — Kashi has added an entree and pizza to its line of all-natural frozen foods.

The new spicy black bean enchilada single-serve entree features red skin potatoes, roasted red peppers, corn and spinach, all wrapped in a seven whole grain and corn tortilla, which is topped with a vibrant tomatillo, cilantro and jalapeno salsa. The entree also includes a side of Kashi seven whole grain pilaf. The entree will retail for $4.09, the company said.

PLEASANTON, Calif. -- The Safeway Foundation announced that it has donated $100,000 and will match employee donations up to $50,000 to help with the Japan earthquake and tsunami relief effort. The contribution will be distributed to the impacted area through the American Red Cross.