Events

Hoffman Estates, Ill. - Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. has opened a new Sears Appliance & Hardware Store located in Huntsville, Texas. The store was the fourth Sears Appliance & Hardware Store to open in 2013 and will celebrate its official grand opening Feb. 28-March 1.

The new 18,000-sq.-ft. store offers in-store services such as blade sharpening, key cutting and screen repair, as well as products typically found in local hardware stores, such as fasteners and electrical and plumbing supplies.

San Francisco -- Banana Republic is releasing an omni-channel spring 2014 marketing campaign called “True Outfitters” in March 2014. Styled by Jessica Diehl and shot by Mikael Jansson, the campaign was developed with Laird+Partners, Banana Republic's advertising agency.

The campaign will appear in March and April publications, supplemented by outdoor, online and direct mail. Digital portions include a dedicated website and a special YouTube event on March 2.

Jewel joined for the debut of the Swiffer Sweep and Trap, which features soft rotating beater blades that are designed to scoop up large particles into a removable dirt bin for quick disposal.

The singer-songwriter led the debut — which took place in New York at the kid-oriented venue Make Meaning — with a live performance of the new "Clean-Up Song." Her acoustic performance is available for free download on the Swiffer Facebook page at Facebook.com/Swiffer.    

Banana Republic will unveil an omnichannel marketing campaign called “True Outfitters” in March 2014.

Styled by Jessica Diehl and shot by Mikael Jansson, the campaign was developed with Laird+Partners, Banana Republic's advertising agency. The campaign will appear in March and April publications, supplemented by outdoor, online and direct mail. Digital portions include a dedicated website and a special YouTube event on March 2.

Comedian Larry the Cable Guy has teamed up with Prilosec OTC to show racing fans that “You Can’t Beat Zero” by offering them great “Zero Experiences” at two top stock car races and a chance at winning Prilosec OTC’s hottest wheels: a “monster” utility vehicle.

Lowe's is renewing its partnership with Habitat for Humanity International. A new five-year, $23.5 million donation will bring Lowe's total contributions to more than $63 million since 2003 and is the company’s largest corporate donation to date.

Along with the funding, Lowe's pledged the continued support of Lowe's Heroes employee volunteers. In the past decade, Lowe's employees have donated thousands of volunteer hours in support of Habitat's work.

Vertical footwear retailer Keds is launching an omnichannel marketing campaign called the “Keds Brave Life Project.” The campaign is aimed at encouraging positive development of girls and young women.

Clinton Township, Mich. — The Mall at Partridge Creek, in the Detroit, metropolitan region, has named Melissa Morang marketing and sponsorship director. Morang will develop public programs, events and community relations for the center.

Morang returns to metro Detroit after spending the past year in the Grand Rapids area working in Meijer’s corporate office on marketing strategies for the retailers soft lines division.

Cupertino, Calif. – Apple opened its first South American store in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Feb. 15. Brazil is a leading global market for smartphones and media reports indicate more than 1,700 customers attended the opening of the store.

BJ’s Wholesale Club is outsourcing and expanding its product demonstration program with the help of Crossmark’s PromoWorks division.

Plans call for PromoWorks to manage, enhance and ultimately expand the company’s demo and events program. BJ’s current demo and events staff, made up of approximately 1,400 employees, will be given priority to apply for the demo program with PromoWorks, which plans to grow the current program by more than 25% or about 500 jobs, the companies said it a joint statement.