Marketing Tactics

Columbus, Ohio – DSW Inc. plans to open two new stores in Corpus Christi, Texas, and Mentor, Ohio. Both stores are scheduled to open March 27.

DSW Rewards is a free loyalty program in which customers earn certificates toward future DSW purchases and receive special member-only offers. Customers can also participate in a Shoe Lover community on Facebook to receive exclusive offers and giveaways.

North Wilkesboro, N.C. – Lowe’s is partnering with lawn product provider Scotts and digital agency HelloWorld to run an online promotion tied to the NCAA “March Madness” college basketball tournament. By utilizing the rich engagement platform of HelloWorld, participants fill out a form to register and select who they think the final four teams in the tournament will be.

Seattle – Starbucks reportedly plans to expand a pilot of an evening alcohol and “light bites” menu that includes wine to thousands of stores nationwide. According to Bloomberg, Starbucks executives said the evening food and drink offerings, currently provided in about 40 test stores, will be rolled out during the next several years.

Walmart has borrowed a page from the playbook of Home Depot and Lowe’s with a new Spring seasonal promotion that leverages the equity of Black Friday.

Most American’s missed seeing amputee Evan Strong win gold at the Paralympics in Sochi as Russian aggression toward Crimea and the Ukraine overshadowed the games. However, Strong gains another type of notoriety this Spring when he becomes the first para-athlete to grace the front of a Wheaties box.

Only 18 months into her job as Gap’s creative director and already Rebekka Bay is the focus of a cover story in the most recent issue of Bloomberg Businessweek about, “making Gap matter again.”
 

Sizable new standalone sections of Disney brand consumer products have been created at 15 stores worldwide operated by the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES).

The merchandising initiative, dubbed “Disney at the Exchange” features a wide range of Disney, Marvel and Star Wars products and will be available in 15 AAFES installations by this summer. The assortment will include dolls, action figures, role play items and clothing, as well as toys and other merchandise tied to current Walt Disney Company theatrical releases and television content.

Personalized weather provider Poncho has developed an innovative way to monetize its content through a shopper marketing initiative with the Duane Reade division of Walgreens.

In a pilot program with Duane Reade, users of the Poncho service who sign up to receive weather updates tailored to their preferences via text or email will also receive promotional incentives from Duane Reade. The program is targeted to New York metropolitan area consumers where Duane Reade’s more than 250 stores are concentrated.

Pop star Robin Thicke will help Express commemorate the grand opening of what promises to be a stunning 28,000-sq.-ft. flagship location in New York’s Times Square on March 25.

The fashion forward operator of more than 600 predominantly mall-based stores is looking to make a splash with the Times Square location company chairman and CEO Michael Weiss billed as “Express on steroids.”

Bad weather and a tepid economy claimed another retail victim on Thursday as family footwear retailer Shoe Carnival posted weak sales and profits.

The operator of 379 stores said sales during its 13 week fourth quarter ended February 1 fell to $200.3 million compared to $205.7 million during the 14 week fourth quarter the prior year. Same store sales declined 2.5%. Profits during the period fell more sharply to $600,000, or three cents a share, from $3.2 million, or 13 cents a share the prior year, as gross margins contracted to 28.5% from 29.3%.