Retailer Campaigns

American Family Association has called on its members to boycott Target Corp. over the chain’s decision to allow transgender employees and customers to use bathrooms that correspond with their gender identity.

The group said it had gathered 172,494 signatures on a boycott petition by mid-morning on Friday.

Grand Rapids, Michigan-based discount retailer Meijer is giving customers the chance to help create a TV commercial, and gaining some free social promotion in the process.

In a new contest, Meijer is asking shoppers to submit photos showing how the retailer supports their “home team,” which could range from a local Little League team to a Major League Baseball franchise, through an application on its Facebook page. Ten winners will receive $100 Meijer gift cards, and all photos have the chance to appear in the commercial.

Eighty-eight percent of consumers plan to celebrate Mother’s Day 2016 and clothing is this year’s big winner.

That’s according to the annual Brand Keys Mother’s Day survey, which found that consumers intend to spend on average $205.00 this year, up 6% over 2015.

Men, following a long-standing tradition, intend to spend more than women, reporting an anticipated average spend of $228. Women reported an anticipated spend of $182.

Starbucks founder and CEO Howard Schultz recently touched down at Target Corp. headquarters in Minneapolis as part of Target’s series of “innovation speakers.” “With Starbucks, I dreamed of building a national brand and different kind of company, achieving balance between profit and conscience, bringing people along on the journey, and impacting the communities we serve,” Schultz said. “The kind of company my parents never got the chance to work for.

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. has named Ashley Sargent Price as senior VP and creative director of marketing.

In this role, Price will oversee creative marketing for all brands (Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie kids, and Hollister Co.), the company`s internal photo studio, and marketing operations. She reports to Fran Horowitz, president & chief merchandising officer.

Hot on the heels of its launch of a private label collection aimed at millennial women, The J.C. Penney Co. is now introducing a brand and store section designed for a subset of that market.

JCPenney is debuting Boutique+, a plus-size fashion brand designed for full-figured millennial women. Boutique+ will be available at 500 stores and online May 1.

The world’s largest social network has updated its policies regarding branded content and, in so doing, given retailers a new marketing tool.

Facebook is now allowing retailers and other marketers to work with media companies, celebrities and other key “influencers” to place certain types of branded content on its platform.

Many retailers’ long-held assumptions about consumer loyalty programs are no longer accurate, according to a new study.

Maritz Motivation Solutions surveyed more than 2,000 consumers regarding their feelings about brand loyalty and engagement. The data showed that there are at least five myths when it comes to consumers and loyalty programs. “When evaluating your brand, consumers also are evaluating your loyalty program,” said Barry Kirk, VP Customer Loyalty Strategy for Maritz.

Kirk detailed the myths in a webinar this week: