Cross-Merchandising

Middletown, Wis. -- American Girl, a division of Mattel, announced its first expansion outside the United States, with plans to open two experiential in-store boutiques in partnership with Indigo Books & Music Inc., Canada’s largest book, gift, and specialty retailer.

Opening in spring 2014, the new American Girl retail stores will be located in Indigo’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Toronto, and Robson Street, Vancouver.

Target is getting ready for the holidays with a big multichannel push that includes expanding its in-store pick-up program for products ordered online to all of its U.S. stores by Nov. 1 — a service that is now available in about half of the chain’s locations.

Target will run an ad campaign Dec. 1 through Dec. 3 that promotes deals during Cyber Monday and the rest of Cyber week.

Colgate-Palmolive announced that during the third quarter, new product launches in the United States contributed to volume growth across categories and market share gains were seen in categories such as manual toothbrushes, powered toothbrushes, mouthwash and body washes.

Toronto -- Shoppers Drug Mart is teaming up with Beyond the Rack, the online shopping club, to provide Shoppers Optimum members with exclusive deals on designer fashions and accessories.

Shoppers Optimum members are invited to join a new subscription-based retail website that offers exclusive savings and rewards on designer fashions and accessories. Those who register can receive special weekly product offers from Beyond the Rack while collecting 10 Optimum points on every dollar spent.

Sears Home Appliance Showrooms has completely revamped its interior in an effort to make the shopping experience convenient for consumers.

The updated sales floor presentations include a new merchandising layout allowing showrooms to expand key lines such as built-in cooking, cooktops and laundry and improve customer shopping experiences with new displays of dishwashers and floor care.

New York – Despite many forecasts of a gloomy holiday season for retailers, Deloitte is predicting an increase in consumer spending. Deloitte's 28th annual survey of holiday spending intentions and trends indicates shoppers surveyed plan to spend an average of $421 on holiday gifts this year, up from $386 last year. They also expect to buy an average of 12.9 gifts, ending a five-year decline in the number of gifts they plan to purchase.

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us 2013 holiday marketing plans include  a new TV campaign that will feature a group of real-life children from local New York charities who think they’re going on a field trip, but actually are going to a Toys “R” Us store where they are given free rein.

Featured at the end of each TV commercial and throughout many of the company’s print and online marketing vehicles, is the hashtag, #WishinAccomplished.
 

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.