In-Store Media

Teen retailer Hot Topic is using the appeal of the pre-order and a Disney film tailor made for its core customers to encourage full margin sales and drive traffic to HotTopic.com.

The retailer is featuring a limited edition collection of apparel inspired by Disney’s dark anti-hero “Maleficent,” on its Web site for pre-order beginning April 15. Merchandise will be available in stores and online in May with prices ranging from $29.50 to $54.50.

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores is teaming with the Cleveland Cavaliers for an unconventional promotion. The craft retailer will be distributing capes to fans at the second annual Superhero Night at the Cavs vs. Boston Celtics game Saturday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena.

Atlanta -- Miller Zell has named James Warner VP of digital innovation, responsible for driving integrated experiences, digital brand engagements and relevant technology solutions into the overall shopper journey.

Previously Warner worked with W3 Design, Momentum Worldwide and Moxie Interactive, where he led consumer-centric design and technology development for tier one retailers and global brands such as Coca-Cola, Nokia, Verizon, Red Bull North America, American Express, 20th Century Fox and Nike.

Atlanta -- Footwear retailer Shoe Carnival on April 6 will launch its first integrated national advertising campaign in support of the spring season. The campaign accompanies the brand’s U.S. expansion and debuts a new tagline, "A surprise in store."

Long time Target supplier J.L. Childress said six of its products were added to Target’s in store travel assortment.

The products are geared toward parents of babies and young children and include variety of bags to simplify life for on the go parents with infants and young children in tow. J.L. Childress has items available for sale on the Target website, however, the new products carried in the stores are unique and not available online, according to the company.

When brand marketers and agency executives gathered in Chicago recently for the annual Shopper Marketing Summit there was plenty of talk about mobile, social and digital, but there was one thing no one talked about.

Mobile is the hottest thing going right now so hardly surprising there was plenty of discussion about myriad ways apps can be used to engage, influence and activate shoppers on the path to purchase. Mobile continues to transform the path to purchase, overlooked in discussions of the shoppers’ evolving journey was the role of packaging.

St. Louis -- Whether shopping alone or in a group, Millennials remain digitally connected contacting friends and family for advice or opinions via text, phone call or social media, according to a survey conducted by Mooslyvania, an independent digital advertising agency. While 57% surveyed said they tell their friends about their purchases, 44% prefer to "show off" their purchases, even if it's in subtle ways.

New York -- The second floor of Uniqlo’s Fifth Avenue flagship in Manhattan has been transformed in conjunction with the launch of the retailer’s SPRZ NY collection, done in collaboration with the Museum of Modern Art. The renovated floor includes the addition of a full-service Starbucks (a first for Uniqlo).