Cross-Merchandising

WAYNE, N.J.  — Toys"R"Us, Nickelodeon and Playmates Toys have a potential cash cow on their hands with the revamped "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" CG-animated series and corresponding line of action figures, vehicles, role play items and playsets. The series premieres Saturday, Sept. 29, at 11:00 a.m. (ET/PT) with a one-hour special event. The toys, developed by Playmates, is available in stores and online.

By Jeff Fowler, [email protected]

OAKLAND, Calif. — Clorox has launched a new line of products designed to appeal to Hispanic scent preferences and unique approach to cleaning. The Clorox Fraganzia line of products is available now at major national retailers and consists of three products designed to imbue the Hispanic home with welcoming, clean, fresh scents. They are: a multi-purpose dilutable cleaner, toilet bowl rim hanger, and aerosol air freshener.

Retailers can’t seem to get enough of partnerships these days…be it with hot designers, each other or television shows. Below is a quick recap of three new couplings that have the industry buzzing.

1. Nordstrom and Topshop: Looking to add more fashion sizzle to its offerings, Nordstrom has entered into a joint venture with Topshop, the British fast-fashion giant known for its runway-inspired threads and rock ‘n’ roll attitude.

New York -- Lord & Taylor has entered into an exclusive partnership with Lifetime’s Project Runway for the television shows’ tenth anniversary season.

The partnership includes an exclusive retail sponsorship for the season and a comprehensive integrated marketing program.

No Wonder Walmart’s U.S. sales are on the upswing. Kantar’s Marx media solutions group this week in its mid-year report noted free standing insert pages for Walmart increased nearly 82% to 2.5 billion pages during the first half of the year.

Seattle -- Nordstrom and British fashion brand TopShop said Thursday they have formed a partnership to launch TopShop and TopMan in-store departments in 14 Nordstrom stores, as well as on Nordstrom.com beginning Sept. 10.   

The joint venture makes Nordstrom the only large U.S. retailer to sell a broad assortment of the British fashion brands' merchandise in-store and online.

TopShop and TopMan have flagship stores in New York, Chicago, Las Vegas and Los Angeles (opening spring 2013).

Target has come up with some clever buzz-building brand activities over the years and a new initiative underway in Seattle is no exception.