Events

Babies “R” Us is looking to get parents thinking about holiday gifts early with in-store and innovative digital promotions appealing to “Baby’s First Christmas.”

Babies"R"Us is looking to get parents thinking about holiday gifts early with in-store and innovative digital promotions appealing to “Baby’s First Christmas.”

Skechers has surpassed its fundraising goal for special needs kids with an ever-popular event that appeals to its target market.

REI has shocked the retail industry — and shoppers — with its decision to lock its doors on one of the biggest and most profitable shopping days of the year.

The retailer says it will be closed not only on Thanksgiving Day but also on Black Friday. REI.com will operate as normal on Thanksgiving. On Black Friday, REI.com will have a black takeover screen encouraging people to get outside. Customers will still be able to view product and make a purchase on Black Friday, but the order will not be processed until Saturday.

Instacart will be opening a temporary online Halloween pop-up shop.

Customers in Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco will be able to receive same-day delivery of costumes until supplies last. Instacart successfully piloted the Halloween shop in Seattle in 2014.

Instacart will charge its normal delivery prices for the special program: $3.99 for a two-hour delivery, and $5.99 for a one hour delivery when customers spend $35 or more. First-time Instacart users can have their costume delivered for free, as can Instacart express members.

Retailers sending email promotions may want to hold off on announcing deals that offer a specific number of dollars off the listed price.

According to a new study of more than one billion marketing emails by retention marketing firm Retention Science, customers are more receptive to percent-off deals than dollar-off deals. Percent-off deals result in customers 38% more likely to click, and 47% more likely to convert when they were presented with a dollar-off offer.

Southaven, Miss. -- Tanger Factory Outlet Centers and Poag Shopping Centers will celebrate the Grand Opening of Tanger Outlets Southaven located in Southaven, Mississippi, on Nov. 20.

The Center will feature over 70 brand name and designer outlet retailers including: Ann Taylor, Gap factory outlet, White House | Black Market, Banana Republic, Columbia Sportswear Company, J.Crew, Loft, Under Armour, Skechers, Pandora, Carter's, Tommy Hilfiger and more.

Shoppers who hit the aisles at Kmart this Halloween are in for more treats than tricks.

The company said that shoppers in costume on Oct. 31 will receive a coupon for a purchase over $30. Additionally, the first 100 children ages 12 and under who show up to trick or treat will receive a fun-size candy bar.

Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto is hoping to engage holiday shoppers with a series of pop-up shops and a online/texting messaging concierge service.

Yorkdale's holiday pop up shops include: