Marketing Tactics

Big Lots employees in Ohio will be going to work for their communities in 2015, but not in a retail store. 

The company's associates in the West Columbus area will be planting and maintaining a 17-bed community garden and hope to harvest more than 2,000 pounds of fresh produce in 2015 for the LSS Westside Food Pantry through the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.

Chicago – Despite significant changes in society and online commerce, the mall remains the primary shopping destination in America. Consumer shopping habits have changed, but only slightly, according to JLL’s Shopping Preferences Survey, which polled nearly 3,000 consumers nationwide.

Hhgregg President and CEO Dennis May played the “pleased with significant progress on transformation efforts” card after the company reported abysmal sales for its fourth quarter ended March 31.

The retailer said same store sales decreased 10%. Net sales decreased 9.8% to $485.6 million. Revenue dropped 10% to $485.6 million. The company had a loss of $25.2 million, or 91 cents a share, wider than its prior-year quarter loss of $7.2 million, or 25 cents a share.

Elmsford, N.Y. – Party City Holdco Inc. had something to celebrate in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, shrinking net loss to $8.52 million from $19.91 million the same period a year earlier. In addition, total revenues rose 7% to $462.1 million, from $432.99 million.

Brand same-store sales increased by 5.2% aided by the shift of the Easter selling season to the first quarter, which contributed 1.5% to the increase.

Five Below is accelerating its expansion plans with the opening of three new stores in Kansas City this week.

"Entering the Kansas City metro area and opening our first store in Kansas, our 24th state, is very exciting as we continue to grow our footprint across the country," said Joel Anderson, CEO of Five Below. "We're thrilled to develop new relationships with customers in this dynamic market. Kids and parents looking for a fun place to shop for trend-right, high quality products at a great value will surely enjoy Five Below."

Philadelphia - Five Below will make its initial entry into the Kansas City, Missouri market with the opening of three stores on May 15. The tween and teen specialty retailer expects to open a total of 70 new stores during 2015, on top of opening 62 stores in 2014

The three approximately 7,500-sq.-ft. Five Below Kansas City stores are located in Tiffany Springs Market Center in Kansas City, Adam's Dairy Landing in Blue Springs, Missouri, and Olathe Pointe Shopping Center in Olathe, Kansas.

For the third year in a row, Macy’s is asking shoppers to donate to America’s veterans – but this time there’s a selfie involved.

Macy’s is teaming up with Got Your 6 on a new charitable program, which kicks off with an innovative social media campaign, #AmericanSelfie, a “Got Your 6 Saturday” savings pass, and a commercial spot with Emmy Award-winning host and producer, Ryan Seacrest.

Walmart is reportedly testing an unlimited shipping service that could undercut Amazon Prime.