Retailer Campaigns

Minneapolis -- The distribution of digital coupons on retailers’ websites exploded in 2013, increasing 39.5% over the previous year, according to data released by Marx, a Kantar Media company. The growth of digital coupons was followed by a 25.6% increase in retailer participation in freestanding insert (FSI) coupon promotion pages, and a 12.6% increase in total retailer feature ad pages distributed.

Major changes in retailers’ use of digital coupons and free standing insert promotions were evident in 2013 and especially pronounced at Walmart, Target and Kroger, according to an extensive analysis conducted by the Marx division of Kantar Media.

Retailers’ overall advertising expenditures were relatively in 2013 when compared to the prior year; however, there were large spikes in digital coupon events and free standing insert (FSI) coupon promotion pages.
 

The Hilco Global Retail Group is rebranding its recently acquired Steele's retail stores as Steele's & Deals. The company also appointed several key executive leaders who will take over new management roles at the retail chain.

The company feels that the Steele's & Deals name more accurately communicates value to customers.

New York — Specialty apparel retailer Express has opened a three-level 28,000-sq.-ft. store in the I. Miller building New York City’s Times Square.

“It’s Express on steroids,” said Michael Weiss, the chairman and chief executive officer of Express. “This is an elevated presentation where the homes for each category are much more defined.”

Lane Bryant hosted its first-ever designer runway show this week, featuring the retailer's collaboration with Isabel and Ruben Toledo. The show took place at the Seagram Building, in New York.

The fashion show featured portions of the spring and fall collection. Models walked the runway in sheath dresses and coats adorned in Isabel's signature patterns, tunics and cocktail dresses. Designs were presented in black, white, gold and soft grey. Pieces were color blocked and complemented with hints of patterns.

Destination XL Group plans to open its first store in Manhattan this June and promises the city’s big and tall men an upscale experience at its store on 699 Sixth Avenue.

Alpharetta, Ga. - Almost half (45%) of brands see measuring ROI as a challenge in using Twitter as a marketing tool, followed by building an audience (42%) and engagement (37%). In addition, a new survey of brand marketers from Social Media Marketing University (SMMU) shows that 40% of brands agree that Twitter is an effective marketing tool and 25% strongly agree, but 31% are undecided, 1% agree and 3% strongly agree.

Walmart has borrowed a page from the playbook of Home Depot and Lowe’s with a new Spring seasonal promotion that leverages the equity of Black Friday.