Cross-Merchandising

Norcross, Ga. - Waffle House Inc. is partnering with mobile app-based shipping platform to become the first official “Roadie Roadhouse.” Roadie connects people with items to send with drivers who are already heading in the right direction.

Waffle House will offer Roadie drivers free food and beverages at its more than 1,750 restaurants in 25 states, and provide a meeting location for drivers and senders. Roadies get a free waffle upon downloading the app and a free beverage when they're making a delivery.

Petco is leveraging the popularity of raw pet food by launching a series of educational events at some of its stores.

Starting on March 2, on the first Monday of each month, Unleashed by Petco stores will sample a variety of frozen, dehydrated and freeze-dried raw food and treats and educate customers on the health benefits of raw food as part of the Monday Night Raw Next-Level Nutrition event series.

Target Corp. reportedly thinks having a range of organic products matters.

Footwear giant Wolverine World Wide's new outlet store format brings together an assortment of Wolverine's diverse brands in an environment that reflects the company's heritage and dedication to craftsmanship. The design, by Wolverine's consumer direct, store development team in partnership with the Carlson Group, marries a factory/warehouse­inspired material palette with clean, modern forms and a simple, but highly flexible merchandising system.

Phoenix – PetSmart Inc. launched an omnichannel campaign around the joys and struggles of “pethood” – or pet parenthood, with a TV commercial during the Feb. 22 Academy Awards telecast. The campaign will include short films and ads shown on TV and online, and include print, digital and social media components.

London – U.K.-based fashion retailer Topshop is teaming up with Twitter for an omnichannel promotion tied to London Fashion Week. Starting Friday, Feb. 20, the first day of London Fashion Week, Topshop will be analyzing Twitter trends to determine the real-time buzz around apparel and accessories being displayed on Fashion Week runways.

New York - The American Museum of Natural History is launching an omnichannel collaboration with online marketplace Etsy. The museum and Etsy have teamed up on products inspired by the natural world and the museum’s collections, which will be sold in a dedicated section of the museum’s gift shop as well as online.

Leading regional supermarket operator Hy-Vee is expanding its relationship with Interactions to provide experiential marketing services.

Interactions says it will engage shoppers through experiential marketing events in 50 store locations in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas and Missouri, with plans to expand to more than 145 stores throughout the year. In addition to planned event services, Interactions will also collaborate with Hy-Vee to develop additional experiential marketing activities, such as new store openings, community events and Hy-Vee branded programs.

Williams-Sonoma is leveraging the brand equity of a renowned culinary competition, not to mention famed celebrity chef Thomas Keller, to attract more foodies to its stores.

The retailer has been hosting events at stores across the country celebrating Team USA after its medal win at the prestigious Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition in January.

Puerto Rico is home to many retailers’ most productive units and now Saks and Nordstrom are looking to get in on the action when they open their first locations next month in the island’s new Mall of San Juan.

The mall is set to open March 26, two and a half years after breaking ground, and will contain a 138,000-sq.-ft. Nordstrom and a 100,000-sq.-ft. Saks. The property also includes a hotel and a casino.