In-Store Media

Retailers and brands are increasingly going on YouTube and posting “unboxing” videos of happy customers opening products and then examining and celebrating their features and functions for the camera, says the New York Times. [New York Times]

Design firms and in-house retail design teams from around the globe are invited to submit projects for the Retail Design Institute’s 45th annual international store design competition.

The competition celebrates exceptional retail experiences across more than 20 categories from full-line department stores and specialty shops to restaurants and pop-ups. In addition, a single "Store of the Year" will be chosen from among the winning entries.

Target Corp. is bringing back a beloved family film classic just in time for the holidays — and getting in some prime time high-profile marketing in the process.

The retailer has teamed up with ABC to show “Mary Poppins.” It's the first time in more than 13 years that the movie has been shown on television. The movie will be aired on Dec. 12, from 8 – 11 pm EST on ABC, which is owned by Disney.

Big Lots narrowed its loss in the third quarter as the retailer attracted more shoppers to its stores with new merchandising and marketing strategies.

For the period ended Oct. 31, Big Lots reported a loss of $1.5 million, or 3 cents a share, compared with a loss of $3.4 million, or 6 cents, a year earlier. Same-store sales increased 2.6% Revenue edged up less than a percentage point to $1.12 billion.

Big Lots narrowed its loss in the third quarter as the retailer attracted more shoppers to its stores with new merchandising and marketing strategies.

For the period ended Oct. 31, Big Lots reported a loss of $1.5 million, or 3 cents a share, compared with $3.4 million, or 6 cents, a year earlier. Same store sales increased 2.6% Revenue edged up less than a percentage point to $1.12 billion.

Shoppers Drug Mart unveiled its new beauty department concept, called beautyBoutique, at the Rideau Centre in Ottawa.

The 4,000 sq.-ft. department features new fixtures, digital signage, enhanced fragrance and skin care areas and provides customers with a differentiated retail environment complemented by a wide assortment of prestigious brands. Featuring 16 prestige brands, it is the sixth Shoppers Drug Mart location in Canada to offer customers an elevated prestige beauty experience and the first in Ottawa.

Delivering an excellent in-store experience to customers is no easy task for retailers. In addition to ensuring your employees are offering exceptional customer service, you need to consider how shoppers will perceive every aspect of your store environment, including lighting, music, floor plans and merchandise display. But in determining how to create an optimum in-store environment, don’t forget one of the most important factors that can positively influence the customer experience—scent.

InnerWorkings on Tuesday entered an exclusive partnership to enhance the marketing supply chain of Weis Markets. 

The number of retail chief marketing officers (CMOs) using mobile in their holiday marketing keeps growing.

According to the new BDO Retail Compass Survey of CMOs, 65% of 100 retail CMOs surveyed will tap into mobile, up from 49% in 2014 and the third straight year of growth. And of those using mobile, 34% will focus most heavily on delivering mobile coupons. Respondents plan to focus 12% of their marketing efforts on mobile technology.