Marketing Tactics

Chain Store Age is sponsoring a webinar that will reveal new market research from the International Institute for Analytics. Learn about IIA’s retail industry analytics maturity index and the characteristics of the highest-performers—and see how your company measures up.     “Competing on analytics” is no longer a mystery. Find out how your company can get with the program.  

Amazon is poised to become the biggest clothing retailer in the United States in 2017.   That’s according to a report by Cowen & Co., which sees the Internet giant’s clothing/accessories sales increasing some 30% next year to $28 billion, Geekwire.com reported, and to $62 billion in 2021.   Click here to read more.

Starting Nov. 1, more than 5 million Sears MasterCard holders whose cards are linked to the Shop Your Way program will earn more Shop Your Way points at Kmart and many of their favorite retailers.   These Sears MasterCard holders will automatically earn more Shop Your Way points on a complimentary basis through December 31, 2017, including:

• 5% back in points on eligible purchases made at gas stations;
• 3% back in points on eligible purchases at grocery stores and restaurants

The fast-growing beauty category represented 17% of QVC’s global sales in 2015, but the retailer wants more.    To grab a bigger share of the category, the digital retailer will launch the Beauty iQ network, a multi-platform beauty shopping experience designed to engage beauty lovers. The program, which is set to launch on Oct. 31, will be viewable in over 40 million homes in the U.S. via distributors, including DirecTV, U-verse, Dish and Roku.   

Value and promotions will take center stage in Target Corp.’s holiday plans, along with a televised “musical” starring a 10-time Grammy-winning recording artist.   In addition to new and exclusive merchandise in every product category, Target is offering an array of holiday deals, including the return — and extension by one week — of free shipping for all online orders from Oct. 25 through Jan. 1, 2017.    

Starbucks Corp. has unveiled a new store environment for its Teavana division.    In the new store design, tea is not hidden in tins. Instead, loose-leaf teas are boldly displayed in large glass cylinders for customers to see and smell as employees help them create custom blends.  

Looking to attract shoppers in what is expected to be a highly competitive season, Best Buy is waiving online shipping fees.   For the second year in a row, the electronics retailer is offering free shipping on all online purchases — with no minimum threshold — made during the holiday shopping season. The perk will run between Oct. 25, and Jan. 2. Best Buy typically charges a fee for all orders below $35.  

Spence Diamonds is dropping anchor in the United States with an innovative store concept and unique product offering.    The diamond retailer will open a store in Austin, Texas, on Nov. 7, followed by a location in San Jose, Calif., on Nov. 10. A store in Scottsdale, Arizona is planned for first quarter 2017, with additional markets to be announced soon.