Cross-Merchandising

Toys"R"Us has unveiled its 2013 holiday marketing plans, including a new television campaign that positions the store as the go-to destination for toys this holiday season.

The broadcast commercial, which began airing on Sunday, Oct. 20, features a group of children who think they're going on a field trip to "Meet the Trees" and end up at Toys"R"Us instead.

Hasbro’s brand initiatives for the 2013 holiday shopping season are resonating with consumers and retailers globally as the company saw revenues and earnings grow in the third quarter.

The company’s net revenues for the third quarter increased 2% to $1.37 billion, compared to $1.35 billion in 2012. Adjusted to exclude pre-tax restructuring and other charges, net earnings for the quarter increased 5% to $172.5 million, or $1.31 per diluted share, versus $164.9 million, or $1.24 per diluted share, in 2012.

Minneapolis – Target Corp. is reportedly testing a “hands-on” electronics department with a minimalist format that harkens back to Apple stores and brightly lit displays that encourage shoppers to try out sample consumer electronics products. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Target is testing the concept at stores in Brooklyn Park, Mankato, Ridgedale and the Quarry location in Minneapolis, as well as outside Minnesota.

It’s one down and more than 11,000 to go as Dollar General has opened its first ever fueling station at a store in Hanceville, Ala.

The pilot project is part of an agreement with Mansfield Oil, a provider of fuel supply, distribution, delivery, and dispensing solutions. The store in question is one of Dollar General’s larger format Market stores which include expanded food and consumables. Dollar General operates more than 11,000 stores nationwide, but slightly more than 100 units are in the Market format.

Uniqlo has opened a pop-up store in the 14th Street-Union Square subway station in Manhattan, and is incentivizing holiday shoppers by offering them a $5 Metro Card in a limited-edition sleeve with any purchase. The pop-shop will be open through the holidays.

“This shop fits perfectly with our strong belief in the fundamental power of clothing to improve people’s lives, and our hope is that it will provide people with comfort and warmth during the winter season,” said Larry Meyer, COO of Uniqlo USA.
 

Stride Rite Children's Group, a leading marketer of children's footwear brands, is partnering with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to help families stay safe while trick-or-treating this Halloween season.  

Stride Rite offers a wide variety of comfortable shoes, featuring everything from Star Wars to Captain American, which complement Halloween costumes. Stride Rite also offers a variety of styles, from Spider-Man to Disney Princesses, which incorporate unique light-up technology to help trick-or-treaters stand out on Halloween night.

Fashion retailer Neiman Marcus and Popsugar, a leading global media and technology company at the intersection of content and commerce, have teamed up to create a limited-edition box filled with a luxury assortment of gifts that can be shipped directly to consumers’ homes.

Mars Chocolate North America has introduced a new set of planning tools to help retailers develop their marketing strategies and build chocolate sales.

The new resources include the 2014 Moments Calendar Video, year-long display programs, a convenience channel 2014 Planning Toolkit, a revamped Mars24seven.com and the Performance Plus Rewards Program.

New York – Duane Reade is running a three week, omnichannel social media marketing campaign to raise awareness of Duane Reade brand hosiery products. The "Boo-tiful Legs" Halloween contest calls for entrants to upload their original photos wearing Duane Reade brand hosiery with their Halloween costume, via a Duane Reade Facebook page FanGate, through Nov. 3.

PetSmart is leveraging a Halloween costume contest to drive traffic to stores. The specialty retailer is holding the contest Saturday, Oct. 19 at stores nationwide, as well as locations in Canada and Puerto Rico.

As added incentive for pet parents to take their costumed furry friends to stores to participate, PetSmart is offering the first 50 pets in costume at each store between 9 and 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19 free treats from Dentastix and Temptations, plus a coupon for $1 off a Bret Michaels Pets Rock toy purchase.