Displays & Signs

Minneapolis – Target Inc. does not want to be your father’s mass merchandiser. According to the Wall Street Journal, Target has informed established CPG companies including Campbell Soup, Kraft, General Mills and Kellogg Co. that it will promote their brands less to place more emphasis on brands that meet the changing preferences of modern consumers.

A British charity has brought its highly successful fundraising event across the pond, with a lot of help from Walgreens.

Elmsford, N.Y. – Party City Holdco Inc. had something to celebrate in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, shrinking net loss to $8.52 million from $19.91 million the same period a year earlier. In addition, total revenues rose 7% to $462.1 million, from $432.99 million.

Brand same-store sales increased by 5.2% aided by the shift of the Easter selling season to the first quarter, which contributed 1.5% to the increase.

Five Below is accelerating its expansion plans with the opening of three new stores in Kansas City this week.

"Entering the Kansas City metro area and opening our first store in Kansas, our 24th state, is very exciting as we continue to grow our footprint across the country," said Joel Anderson, CEO of Five Below. "We're thrilled to develop new relationships with customers in this dynamic market. Kids and parents looking for a fun place to shop for trend-right, high quality products at a great value will surely enjoy Five Below."

Starbucks has unveiled its new “express” store format, just across from the New York Stock Exchange in downtown Manhattan. The 538-sq.-ft. space is one of the most streamlined in the company’s diverse portfolio.

New York – Fast-fashion retailer H&M estimates that it will continue to expand annually at a rate of 10% to 15%, which would take the U.S. store count to more than 400 and the total store count to almost 4,000 stores by the end of the year.

During 2015, the Swedish retailer has thus far announced it will open 61 stores, including the Herald Square flagship in New York City, which will become the largest H&M in the world when it opens on May 20.

Hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar is lending some old-school street cred to the Finish Line’s launch of the latest reboot of the Reebok Ventilator.

The retailer says Kendrick will be the face of Reebok’s Ventilator campaign, across its channels with exclusive content and key influencer support. Originally introduced to the sneaker world 25 years ago, the Ventilator is back with a classic look featuring four bold new colorways.

Austin, Texas – Americans are known for their generosity, and that stereotype holds true when they go shopping. A new survey of 3,030 U.S. consumers across all ages by social responsibility firm Good Scout, “Change at the Checkout,” shows that 71% of respondents have donated to charity at the register.

Consumers surveyed listed “charity brand recognition” as the number one reason they feel compelled to give to charity at the register. The second leading reason is personal connection to the cause.