Retailer Campaigns

Toronto -- Visual search platform Slyce Inc. and action sports retailer Tilly's announced the upcoming launch of "Tilly's Snap Shop." The service enables Tilly's shoppers to open the mobile website on their smartphone, snap photos of desired items within any of Tilly's seasonal collection catalogs, and purchase the item directly at the moment of impulse.

Tilly's Snap Shop will be accessible to customers viewing the company’s fall catalog which is due for circulation early next month.

Tilly’s, a leading specialty retailer in the action sports industry selling clothing, shoes, and accessories, has enlisted visual search platform Slyce to assist it in the creation of Tilly's Snap Shop.

The service leverages Slyce visual search technology to enable users to access the retailer’s mobile website on their smartphones, snap photos of desired items within any of Tilly's seasonal collection catalogs and purchase the item directly at the moment of impulse.

New York -- Panera Bread would like its customers to leave their guns at home. The bakery-cafe chain joined a handful of other high-profile retailers, including Starbucks, Chipotle, and Target, to make the request.  

ECRM compared retail circular advertising in August 2013 versus August 2014 and noted trends occurring across top retail chains. Back-to-school season was in full swing, yet the drug retailers took opposite approaches to their promotions. Walgreens featured multiple BTS promotions on each of its front pages both this year and last. On the other hand, CVS’s front pages did not feature any traditional school/office supplies, instead focusing on the cosmetics category in three of its four August 2014 circulars.

Living Proof has promoted Grace Ray to CEO. Ray has served as chief marketing officer since 2011, and succeeds Jill Beraud, who is heading to Tiffany & Co. as EVP of global retail operations.

The company credits Ray with being instrumental in its growth in the past several years. The company said that Ray worked with the Living Proof team to deliver a portfolio of award-winning and game-changing products, increase the brand's awareness and leverage co-owner Jennifer Aniston in powerful marketing campaigns to drive double-digit sales growth.

This week, a three-year-old Great Dane from Portland made headlines for consuming 43.5 socks. Hanes is capitalizing on the trending story by offering the mischievous pooch free dog treats for the rest of his life. 

“While Hanes believes its socks are tasty footwear,” the company said in a statement, “it hopes this offer will get the Great Dane snacking on something that's much more pleasant for his tummy.”

Instagram has become a mainstream social media tool for retailers. However, while most retailers limit their Instagram usage to maintaining an official page or encouraging customers to post photos with Instagram hashtags as part of promotional campaigns, some retailers are more forward-thinking in their Instagram approach.

Here are three retailers showing real insight in how they are leveraging Instagram to its fullest potential:

Kmart is gearing up for the holiday shopping season and reminding customers, including Shop Your Way members, of its No Money Down Layaway program, which is now available.