Cross-Merchandising

Facebook is taking another step toward monetizing its vast audience of plugged-in consumers with the planned introduction of paid video ads. As reported in numerous media outlets, Facebook intends to launch 15-second video ads that will play in a user’s newsfeed three times per day for as much $2.5 million per spot.

Target’s EVP of stores, Tina Schiel, and senior group manager of store planning, Nancy Devine, dug through the retailer’s photo archive and weighed in on the company’s evolving design philosophy.

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah-based online retailer Overstock.com has a fresh round of TV ads, and they feature Snoop Lion (formerly known as Snoop Dogg), his wife, Shante, his daughter, Cori, and his sons, Corde and Cordell. 

The ads depict Snoop using Overstock.com to find products that solve his wife and kids' most pressing problems.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart is offering Shop Your Way members a chance to save at the pump while checking off their school supply and grocery shopping lists at select stores. 

The retailer cited the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report, which states that the average national price of a regular gallon of gas is $3.62, compared to the national average of $3.48 a year ago. And Kmart wants to make sure the recent spike in gas prices which has coincided with the back-to-school shopping season doesn’t negatively impact foot traffic to stores. 

Los Angeles -- Candy emporium Sweet! Hollywood has opened its flagship location at the Hollywood & Highland Center, in Hollywood, Calif.

The store is designed as a one-of-a-kind retail entertainment experience by envisioning the proverbial kid in a candy store and bringing that vision to life.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s is planning to hold a nationwide Win Great Things sweepstakes from Sunday, August 4 through Monday, September 2 — the final weeks before the school year starts for many students. 

Los Angeles — Westfield, an Australian-based company that operates 47 U.S. malls, is leveraging mobile technology and social media to promote its back-to-school campaign. 

MIAMI — Regency Centers Corp. has announced the development of Fontainebleau Square, a 320,339-sq.-ft. grocery anchored community center, the company’s first ground-up retail development in Dade County.

Fontainebleau Square has signed Publix Sabor (45,600 sq. ft.) and Target (139,751 sq. ft.) as anchors. Construction starts this month, with anchor openings expected as early as October 2014.