Digital Marketing

A sharper focus on merchandising and marketing netted positive results for Gymboree, as the company reported an increase in same store sales for the third quarter.

But the company did report a steep loss of $522.1 million, compared with a loss of $24 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2013. Same store sales increased 1%. Net sales were $316.8 million, compared with $309.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013.

New York - Fifty-one percent of consumers say saving money is their top priority this holiday season, and  40% are driven by finding the right product. Those are among the findings of a recent survey conducted by RSR.  

In the final installment of CSA Online’s PizzaRev series, we’ll explore the importance of choosing franchisees with a particularly discerning eye, and the process by which franchisors evaluate potential expansion markets.    FRANCHISEE FACTORS   

Foothill Ranch, Calif. -  The troubles keep mounting for teen retailer Wet Seal Inc., which reported a wider loss for the third quarter amid lower revenues and fees related to its exit from its former Arden B business.  The retailer posted a loss of $35.9 million in the quarter emded Nov.1, up from a loss of $12.5  million the previous fiscal year.    

CHICAGO - In time for the holiday rush, General Growth Properties has introduced several new customer initiatives, including an arrangment with Uber to provide free trips (up to $60) to participating malls for all riders and free return trips for new Uber riders or those who spend more than $150 during their visit.   The shopping center developer is providing omni-channel initiatives like same day delivery; enhanced guest experience services; and one-of-a-kind holiday attractions.  

BOCA RATON, Fla. - Polaroid Fotobar is opening two of its smaller-format “micro-store”  locations in the San Jose, California, area, with the first opening on Wednesday, at Westfield Oakridge. The second location, at Westfield Valley Fair, will open in mid-December.  

Arlington, Va. - Gift cards will surpass $124 billion in sales in 2014, up 5% from 2013. According to from advisory firm CEB TowerGroup, the gift card market should undergo an annual growth rate of 5-6% through 2017, but double-digit growth rates experienced in recent years have peaked and subsided.

San Francisco – To serve the needs of tech-oriented holiday shoppers, “Wired” is opening a pop-up store in New York City and an e-shop at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The annual holiday pop-up in New York showcases items hand-selected by “Wired” editors and curators, and will be open Dec. 11-21.    

Houston –  Francesca’s Holding Corp. reported that its net income dropped 19% to $7.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 from $8.7 million the same period the prior year. Increases in cost of goods sold and selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses drove the decline in profit.  The specialty retailer also lowered its earnings outlook for the year.   Francesca’s plans to open one new store in the fourth quarter, bringing total new stores opened in the fiscal year to 88.

New York - The cost of healthcare, the ability to maintain margins
 and the ability to continue to grow revenue are the top business challenges in the retail sector. That’s according to GE Capital’s new national survey of c-suite executives at middle-market companies (ranging from $10 million - <$1 billion in sales).