Marketing Tactics

LOS ANGELES — Kroger banners Ralphs and Food 4 Less/Foods Co have kicked off their respective charitable campaigns to benefit children in the markets they serve.

Orlando, Fla. -- Red Lobster announced a plan to remodel all of its nearly 700 restaurants across the United States and Canada to a design inspired by the seafaring village of Bar Harbor, Maine. Thirty-three percent of the chain’s restaurants will be remodeled by June 2011, with the goal of all Red Lobster restaurants receiving a remodel by 2014. 

ATLANTA -- Digital Signage Expo announced that it has scheduled Intel's Jose Avalos, retail and digital signage worldwide director, embedded and computing Division, to keynote at DSE 2011 on Feb. 24, 2011, in Las Vegas.

In his address titled, "Key Trends Affecting the Future of Digital Signage," Avalos will talk about trends and challenges facing those operating in this space.

On Feb. 1, Target will begin selling an exclusive edition of Ricky Martin's new album, "Musica Alma Sexo." According to Target's website, this edition has seven exclusive tracks, including two dance mixes, three unreleased songs and solo versions of the hit singles "Lo Mejor De Mi Vida Eres Tu" and "The Best Thing About Me is You." 

This is Martin's first new studio album in six years, and some big names including Natalia Jimenez, Joss Stone, Wisin y Yandel, and Claudia Leitte joined him on the album. 

Target took the 21st spot out of a list of 46 retailers ranked for their customer service. Zappos.com took the top spot followed by Amazon.com and LL Bean. Walmart was ranked 27.

Other retailers in the top ten include Overstock.com (4), JCPenney (6) and Kohl's (7).

A monthly pricing survey conducted by Credit Suisse in December shows that Walmart remains the lowest price on a basket of 60 products across two major markets, Target is closer than ever and is actually less expensive for those who take advantage of the 5% Rewards program.

MINNEAPOLIS – Target announced that on Feb. 2 it will celebrate the opening of the newly renovated library at the George Peabody Elementary School. The renovation was made possible with the help of The Heart of America Foundation and the NFL Players Association.

New York City -- Robert K. Futterman & Associates said Monday that it has secured a long-term lease for Gap 1969 at 513 Broadway, between Spring and Broome Streets in SoHo, for the brand’s first permanent location in New York City for the concept store.  

Gap 1969 is currently operating in a temporary space at 524 Broadway.  Scheduled to open in early spring 2011, the new apparel store will occupy 2,800 sq. ft. of ground-floor selling space, and 3,000 sq. ft. in the basement and 3,000 sq. ft. in the sub-basement.