Retailer Campaigns

PetSmart is hoping to lure more Martha Stewart fans to its stores with a new line of natural, Made-in-the-USA pet products.

The retailer already sells Martha Stewart pet products, but it is now launching the Martha Stewart Pets Treat Shop, a line of oven-baked natural dog treats sold only at PetSmart.

Business innovation and technology leader Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing (ECRM) hosted a category review for Bi-Lo Holdings at ECRM’s Snack & Dry Grocery event in February.

Bi-Lo, which operates approximately 800 stores under the Bi-Lo, Harveys, and Winn-Dixie supermarket banners, met with more than 70 suppliers over three days, including potential participants in its Supplier Diversity Program.

Seattle – Starbucks Corp. is publicly calling for better race relations and public discussion of racial issues in the U.S. The company took out full-page advertisements promoting better race relations in the New York Times and USA Today earlier this week, and also is encouraging employees and customers to participate in the effort.

Indianapolis - Lids Sports Group has upgraded its inventory management system so that the retailer now provides consumers access to companywide inventory in retail stores, as well as its centrally located distribution centers. By implementing this improvement, thousands of styles and teams that were previously only available in stores are now available to fans everywhere.

Chicago-based True Value Co. showed its true colors -- and legacy when it comes to producing and selling paint -- on Monday during the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade.

The company erected a 40-foot-tall True Value paint stick and stuck it in the water on the northeast corner of Michigan Avenue. The paint stick stunt was conceived by MARC USA Chicago to leverage True Value’s first time as a sponsor of the annual event. The paint stick will be embossed with the line, “The Value Of The Perfect Color.”

Big Lots is looking to drive springtime growth with a traffic generating campaign aimed at consumers looking for “shopping discoveries.”

The retailer is launching its “Shop Big Lots First” campaign to entice consumers to look to Big Lots for their outdoor entertaining needs. Customers will discover stylish, quality outdoor furniture at an incredible value, as well as the name brand grocery products needed to entertain family and friends outdoors, the company said in a statement.

Freeport, Maine – L.L. Bean Inc. intends to almost triple its store count by 2020. In an internal company memo distributed Wednesday, March 11, L.L. Bean told employees it will open four stores in 2015 and at least 100 by 2020.

Currently, L.L. Bean operates 26 stores and 10 outlets in the U.S. The retailer does not have any stores west of Colorado, but plans to open new stores in the Pacific Northwest. All new stores will be full-price locations. The memo was signed by CEO Chris McCormack, who plans to retire in 2016.

Canada’s leading grocer has developed a novel idea that its supermarket competitors in the U.S. may want to think about using.

Loblaw has introduced Naturally Imperfect-labeled produce. The company describes the new line as the smaller, misshapen produce that still tastes great and is good for you. The produce will now be available at stores in Ontario and Quebec.