Marketing Tactics

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- Staples Inc. announced that it will showcase its enhanced focus on new technologies and services in its retail stores with a new television spot airing regionally during the Super Bowl on Feb. 6. 

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Sears announced that it has partnered with wedding and entertaining expert David Tutera for the debut of the David Tutera Bridal Jewelry Collection. All settings in the Eternal, Heirloom, Radiance and Legacy designs, of which the premiere collection is comprised, will be available at Sears stores nationwide as well as online at http://www.Sears.com/DavidTuteraJewelry beginning Feb. 1.

In the February issue of Chain Store Age, in our focus on mall-based social media (page 52), we referenced a fourth quarter 2010 study by Alexander Babbage, entitled the “Shopping Center Social Media Benchmark Report.”

Following are more details about the study, which found that “social media tools and networks are making it easier for shopping centers to relay information, interact with customers and generally stay connected.” 

Another week and another full page ad in Target’s circular touting the REDcard Rewards program launched last fall. Nothing unusual about that right? The 5% savings program has been promoted heavily since its arrival last October to the point where it is impossible to look anywhere in a store and not seen 5% Rewards signs.

New York City -- New York City residents spent nearly $200 million at about a dozen Walmart stores in the New York metropolitan area in 2010, up about 20% from the amount reported in a previous 12-month period, the company said Monday, according to Crain’s New York.

Although Wal-Mart does have any stores in New York City proper, the chain is determined to break into the market and is working to overcome opposition from labor, community and small business groups.

TOWSON, Md. — Black & Decker has announced the availability of its RapidRoller paint roller. According to the company, the RapidRoller provides a convenient, easy-to-use solution for painting projects, and helps consumers complete those projects up to two times faster than with traditional rollers.

RapidRoller's features include a handle that holds and dispenses paint and an exclusive three-position pivoting roller frame that allows users to paint up to the edge, in tough-to-reach corners and narrow locations like hallways, closets and bathrooms.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Walmart announced that it is offering 20,000 free tickets to the America I AM: The African-American Imprint tour, of which Walmart is a presenting sponsor. America I AM, a four-year touring exhibition that celebrates nearly 500 years of African-American contributions to this country, will make its Washington, D.C. debut at the National Geographic Museum on Feb. 2.

Corpus Christi, Texas -- La Palmera shopping center, located in Corpus Christi, Texas, said it has launched a new smart phone application designed for all smart phone platforms, including Android, Blackberry and iPhone.

The new app, in development since September 2010, officially launched with a La Palmera Facebook posting to its 6,600 fans.