Retailer Campaigns

Consumers expect to spend the same or less on holiday gifts this year.   That’s according to Berkeley Research Group, whose 2016 Holiday Retail Outlook report also identified five major challenges facing retailers as they head into the holiday season.  

Dollar General is moving into North Dakota, announcing that it has begun construction on five new stores in the state. This gives the discount retailer a footprint in 44 states after having established operations in Maine, Oregon, and Rhode Island in 2015.   The initial North Dakota locations will be in Ellendale, Gwinner, Hankinson, Hillsboro, and Oakes. They’re being built in the chain’s standard 9,100-sq.-ft. format.  

Target Corp. is taking action to put an end to the controversy that erupted in the wake of its transgender bathroom decision.    The retailer will spend $20 million to ensure that each of its stores have a single-occupancy, unisex bathroom by next year, MarketWatch reported.  

The Northfield Crossing Shopping Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, that featured a Hastings Entertainment store has been purchased by Baker Storey McDonald Properties on behalf of an unnamed client. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.   Meanwhile, RCS Real Estate Advisors announced it would be auctioning off 120-plus store leases for the bankrupted music, movie, and video game retailer. The chain’s inventory was purchased by Hilco Merchant Resourses and Gordon Bros. Retail Partners in a Chapter 11 filing.   

Publix Super Markets is expanding its online outreach by launching the company’s first blog for engaging with customers.   The blog, called Publix Checkout, was created with the customer in mind, the company says. Blog posts will range in topic from recipes, community initiatives and sustainability ideas to holiday entertaining, health and wellness and more. Visitors to the blog can comment on posts or share them on social media sites.  

Online and catalog retailer Garnet Hill is taking a curated collection of its aspirationally styled home and apparel goods on the road with a mobile pop-up boutique.   The experience, created from a converted shipping container, resembles a natural home environment – except that it's shop-able. The mobile pop-up will launch at Garnet Hill headquarters in Franconia, New Hampshire, moving south through New Hampshire, and completing its summer tour in New York City.    

Walmart, along with organizations around the world, has teamed up with personal care brand Always to contribute to the goal of keeping girls in sports with a new campaign.   The Always #LikeAGirl – Keep Playing program will partner with UN Women to help girls build and maintain their confidence through sports. In the U.S., Always will support Girls on the Run programs and work with Walmart to help keep girls in sports.  

Story, the innovative retail store in Manhattan that totally reinvents itself every few months, has gone nostalgic with its latest revamp.   Story’s new installation, “Remember When,” offers an immersive retro experience that celebrates Nickelodeon’s memorable characters and iconic shows — “Rugrats” and “Sponge Bob” to name just two — from the ‘90s, just in time for the 25th anniversary of Nickelodeon.  

It’s no secret that Abercrombie & Fitch has been developing a new prototype.   The chain will unveil its new look early next year, at Polaris Fashion Place, in Columbus, Ohio. The store will herald a new direction for the brand with a new aesthetic and updated merchandise selections. It will be situated on the lower level near Madewell.     Abercrombie has already introduced a new look for its Hollister store brand.  

Meijer is kicking off the fall campaign of its signature hunger relief program, Simply Give, across its six-state footprint in an effort to help local food pantry partners restock their shelves.