Marketing Tactics

Seattle – Starbucks Corp. is publicly calling for better race relations and public discussion of racial issues in the U.S. The company took out full-page advertisements promoting better race relations in the New York Times and USA Today earlier this week, and also is encouraging employees and customers to participate in the effort.

After opening its first stores in Alabama this month, tween and teen retailer Five Below is taking Kentucky off its expansion list next, with new stores there opening this week.

"Entering Louisville is an important next step as we continue to grow our footprint across the country," said Joel Anderson, CEO of Five Below. "We're excited to serve new customers in this dynamic city. 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."

Columbus, Ohio – DSW Inc. exceeded Wall Street expectations with profit in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. The specialty footwear retailer reported net income of $30.8 million, up 10% from $28.1 million the same quarter a year earlier.

Cost of sales grew at a slower pace than actual sales, helping boost profits. DSW plans to open 35 stores in fiscal 2015, including eight to 10 small format stores. Sales rose 12$ to $640 million, from $572 million.

Palo Alto, Calif. – SAP is opening HanaHaus, a new cafe and community workspace that aims to foster a culture of technology innovation, on March 19. Located in Palo Alto, California, HanaHaus seeks to become a central hub of activity that supports new thinking and entrepreneurial energy.

Business innovation and technology leader Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing (ECRM) hosted a category review for Bi-Lo Holdings at ECRM’s Snack & Dry Grocery event in February.

Bi-Lo, which operates approximately 800 stores under the Bi-Lo, Harveys, and Winn-Dixie supermarket banners, met with more than 70 suppliers over three days, including potential participants in its Supplier Diversity Program.

Indianapolis - Lids Sports Group has upgraded its inventory management system so that the retailer now provides consumers access to companywide inventory in retail stores, as well as its centrally located distribution centers. By implementing this improvement, thousands of styles and teams that were previously only available in stores are now available to fans everywhere.

New York-based retailer Bob’s Stores has had stores all over the Northeast for more than a half-century, but now the company has finally set its sights on Maine shoppers.

The retailer will hold a grand opening for its first location in the state of Maine, in South Portland, at 301 Maine Mall Road, on March 22.

Bob’s last opened a store in October 2011 in East Northport, N.Y.

Chicago-based True Value Co. showed its true colors -- and legacy when it comes to producing and selling paint -- on Monday during the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade.

The company erected a 40-foot-tall True Value paint stick and stuck it in the water on the northeast corner of Michigan Avenue. The paint stick stunt was conceived by MARC USA Chicago to leverage True Value’s first time as a sponsor of the annual event. The paint stick will be embossed with the line, “The Value Of The Perfect Color.”