Retailer Campaigns

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Walmart Canada has invited more than 550 kids and 350 parents to participate in the first-ever Great Big Toy Testing Event. Taking place on July 21, the event gives kids and parents the opportunity to interact with more than 100 toys and will help the retailer determine the top toy list for the 2012 holiday season.

MINNEAPOLIS — Fiber One has introduced new snack bars for kids.

Fiber One Chewy bars tout 110 calroies or less and 8 g or less of sugar and do not contain high-fructose corn syrup, Fiber One said. The bars are available in chocolate and strawberry PB&J varieties and are complete with a peanut butter or chocolate-flavored bottom.

By Eileen F. Mitchell, [email protected]

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Classrooms by Walmart is the name of a new social media initiative the retailer launched Tuesday to simplify back-to-school shopping for millions of moms who view the season as an opportunity for a fresh start.

PLANO, Texas — JCPenney has enlisted the services of Nina Garcia, a well-known fashion expert to help the company become more of a style destination. Garcia, who serves as fashion director of Marie Claire and as a judge on the fashion reality show, "Project Runway," will serve as the company's resident style voice and fashion collection curator.

WAYNE, N.J.  — Toys"R"Us, Nickelodeon and Playmates Toys have a potential cash cow on their hands with the revamped "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" CG-animated series and corresponding line of action figures, vehicles, role play items and playsets. The series premieres Saturday, Sept. 29, at 11:00 a.m. (ET/PT) with a one-hour special event. The toys, developed by Playmates, is available in stores and online.

NEW YORK — eBay's latest move to brand itself as more than just an online auction site, involves the launch of an exclusive designer collection for the holiday season. The company has partnered with designers Billy Reid, Chris Benz, Fallon, Jonathan Adler, Ruffian, Steven Alan and Tibi for an original, limited-edition gift collection of men’s and women’s apparel, jewelry, travel and electronics accessories and home décor.

Miami -- Mobile coupon application provider Geopon said Tuesday that it has collaborated with mall owner Westfield to debut an Android app that combines geo-targeted coupons with electronic reward programs and payment processing.
 
The new app launched Tuesday in the South Florida market and, said Geopon, will soon be joined by the iPhone, which is currently in beta testing.

The entire platform will be unveiled on Sept. 6 at the Westfield Broward Mall, in Plantation, Fla.