Events

CSA to select 27th annual fastest-growing shopping center companies
Shopping center companies will receive recognition for 2015 development, acquisition and third-party management activities, as Chain Store Age’s 27th annual “Fastest Growing” awards rank the most active shopping center owners, managers and acquirers for projects, contracts and transactions completed during last year.

The top placers will be featured in the May 2016 issue of Chain Store Age, which will be bonus-distributed to the International Council of Shopping Centers’ annual RECon event in Las Vegas.
Sporting goods retailer continues to expand
Sportsman’s Warehouse is expanding its operations.

The company will open three new stores, with locations in Prescott, Arizona; Rock Springs, Wyoming; and Gillette, Wyoming. The stores, which will feature the retailer’s small format model, will open in the summer of 2016.

The Prescott store will be Sportsman’s Warehouse’s sixth store in Arizona, while the two Wyoming stores will bring the number of the chain’s locations in the state to four.

Williams-Sonoma tantalizes target customer with contest

Williams-Sonoma knows how to connect with its core customers and has crafted life-altering promotion that does just that to commemorate its 60th anniversary.
Target’s unusual new partner has cult-like following

Target Corp.’s newest partner is a cycling studio chain knows for its high-intensity (and pricey) workouts and devoted, cult-like following.

The retailer has teamed up with SoulCycle to launch a 10-city tour that will offer special three-day weekend events in select markets with complimentary classes taught by certified SoulCycle instructors.
Holiday Recap: Top Five Customer-Engaging Omnichannel Campaigns

As we wrap up another holiday season, it’s time to review some of the most innovative and successful omnichannel promotions launched by retailers.

Some of these promotions were brand new, some were updated versions of established favorites. And some directly drove purchases while others built brand awareness and general holiday goodwill. But all five of the selected campaigns engaged customers in ways that should help boost loyalty long after holiday cheer fades.

Harry & David
Bon-Ton repeats promotion where everyone wins

The Bon-Ton Stores is back with a popular promotion that increases store traffic, generates sales, saves customers money and benefits the communities where it operates 270 department stores.
Home fitness equipment giant enters retail arena

Nautilus is getting up close and personal with shoppers.

The maker of Bowflex, Universal and other exercise equipment brands has opened its first-ever retail store, The Nautilus Shop, at its headquarters in Vancouver.

The roughly 3,000 -sq.-ft. space is designed to create an environment that supports engagement between customers and products, as well as the development of new concepts for the company’s retail partners.
Vans shows fancy footwork on customer engagement

VF Corp.’s footwear, apparel and accessories brand Vans is capitalizing on one of the hottest trends in retail at its 450 stores and online.
Retailer aims to make a difference in teens' lives

Teen retailer rue21 is collaborating with a youth nonprofit to make a positive impact on the lives of its customers.

The company announced it is partnering with Together We Rise, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming the way youth navigate through the foster care system in America. The collaboration is a new addition to rue21’s philanthropy initiative, rueGIVESback.
Macy’s gives cash in effort to receive sales

In the final push to capture last minute sales, Macy’s has resorted to giving away $4.5 million in cash to customers at its stores across the country.

The promotion, which was not offered last year, was announced in a press released distributed at noon on Saturday, Dec. 19. The company said it would distribute $10 gift cards to the first 250 customers at 600 of its stores from Sunday, Dec. 20 through Tuesday, Dec. 22. The cards are only redeemable in store and must be used during the three day promotional window.
Survey: Lots more holiday shopping left—and get ready for a busy Dec. 26

Going into the final stretch of the holiday season, a majority of Americans are far from finished with their holiday shopping.
AmEx Survey: Lots more holiday shopping left—and get ready for a busy Dec. 26

Going into the final stretch of the holiday season, a majority of Americans are far from finished with their holiday shopping.

Seventy-three percent (73%) plan to shop last minute (vs. 79% in 2014), as most wait to find the best deals (44% vs. 46% in 2014), according to the latest American Express Spending & Saving Tracker.

Other reasons consumers are shopping last minute include trying to save up until they have enough money (22%, on par with 2014) and difficulty finding the time to shop (20% vs. 16% in 2014).