Retailer Campaigns

SAN FRANCISCO — Old Navy has partnered with Telemundo to launch telenovela-style miniseries for the web. The Spanish-language web novela, "Estilos Robados" (Stolen Styles), is a six part miniseries that launched last Friday, Oct. 14 and will air on Fridays through Nov. 18 on the "Estilos Robados" tab within Old Navy's Facebook page and on Old Navy's Spanish YouTube channel, as well as on Telemundo Movil.

Competing with Walmart is nothing new for Target, but what appears to be different this holiday season compared with the last few years is, to borrow a football metaphor, Walmart has eliminated its turnovers and is now showing some signs of momentum.

At least that’s what the retailer told financial analysts gathered in Northwest Arkansas last week for an all-day meeting. 

There will be no escaping the long arm of Walmart’s marketing efforts this holiday season as the retail reminds shoppers it has the lowest prices on the broadest assortment of merchandise. Chief merchandising office Duncan Mac Naughton is making sure of that, and on Wednesday he outlined all of the ways the company plans to communicate with shoppers in the months ahead.

NEW YORK — Uniqlo’s NYC flagship may at first seem out of place amongst its Fifth Avenue neighbors, including luxury brands Tiffany & Co., Bergdorf Goodman, Louis Vuitton and Prada, but the location signifies the brand’s “made for all” mantra and its appeal to customers of all income levels.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation has announced a $1 million contribution to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Grants of up to $50,000 will fund repairs and renovations at 23 clubs across the United States.

LCEF selected the clubs based on immediate facility improvement needs, the creativity of the projects and the potential impact on club members, Lowe's reported. Club staff will work to complete the projects in the next year and in many cases Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers will provide hands-on help.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Increased localization of shopper marketing efforts at Walmart is now possible via Facebook following the retailer’s announcement that it would create approximately 3,500 store-specific Facebook pages to serve its nearly 9.5 million fans.

Walmart chief marketing officer Stephen Quinn said the move was an example of the company’s ongoing effort to engage with and listen to customers who desired a more localized experience on Facebook.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores said Tuesday it will launch a “My Local Walmart” Facebook application, which will allow more than 3,500 Walmart stores to interact direct with their local customers and some 9 million total Facebook fans.

The "My Local Walmart" Facebook application will provide locally relevant information on everything from new products and sales information, to details on in-store events.

New York City -- An overwhelming majority (72%) of U.S. consumers expect their holiday spending to be “careful” or “controlled” in 2011, according to Accenture’s annual consumer holiday shopping study. Discounts, sales and prices are still top of mind this holiday, with 40% of consumers saying an item being on sale is the single most important factor in their decision to purchase.

CINCINNATI — Kroger announced that its annual Honoring Our Heroes fundraising campaign to support the United Service Organizations garnered $1.5 million.

The funds were raised in partnership with customers and associates through a variety of in-store activities at Kroger stores nationwide, as well as online at HonoringOurHeroes.com. Procter & Gamble and Anheuser Busch also participated in the program and contributed $250,000 each in conjunction with special sales programs in Kroger stores.

Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation said Friday that high unemployment rates remain a concern as retailers head into the holiday season.