Marketing Tactics

While we wait for all of the official numbers to come in from the 2013 holiday shopping season — a topic I’ll address in a future column — I thought this might be a good time to expand on one of the points I made about retail downsizing in my 2014 forecast piece.

Columbus, Ohio – The Limited is extending its partnership with predictive analytics provider First Insight, Inc. to help make faster and more accurate design, buying and pricing decisions, thereby reducing markdowns and mitigating risks associated with new product introductions.

First Insight engages The Limited customers through online social engagement tools to gather real-time data on new products. This data is filtered through First Insight’s predictive analytic models to determine which products present the greatest opportunity.

Las Vegas -- Facial visualization and imaging technology company ModiFace is introducing a 3-D Augmented Reality Makeup and Anti-Aging Mirror to help beauty brands and retailers market their products to consumers standing at cosmetic counters, as well as shopping at home.

Austin, Texas – Shelfbucks Inc. has appointed a 25-member advisory board of senior corporate executives and business school leaders. Launched in October 2013, Shelfbucks delivers a smartphone-based technology that capitalizes on iBeacon, Bluetooth Low Energy and Near Field Communications to enable retailers to communicate special offers, coupons and other information directly to consumers in the retail setting.

The nation’s largest arts and crafts retailer plans to go public this year and the launch of a new ecommerce platform that gives Michaels Stores long overdue online sales capabilities is a key element of its growth strategy.

Upscale department store retailer Bloomingdale’s isn’t a name typically associated with football, but that all changes this year as a result of the Super Bowl being held in New York for the first time ever.

Bloomingdale’s, operator of 37 department stores nationwide, will use its flag ship store on 59th Street in Manhattan to unveil a collection of designer helmets and a unique and stylish collection of entertaining essentials beginning January 15.

Fitbit has announced a relationship with Tory Burch to develop a collection of accessory wristbands and necklaces for Fitbit Flex. The Tory Burch for Fitbit accessories collection will include pendants, bracelets and wristbands designed to hold the Fitbit Flex tracker, transforming the activity tracker into a chic accessory for work or weekend, day or evening.

ECRM compared retail circular advertising in December 2012 versus December 2013 and noted trends occurring across top retail chains. Last year, Home Depot did not run any circular promotions for the month of December and instead chose to coast on Web and email promotions. These electronic offers featured 50%-off promotions, as well as one-day-only sales. Although this online-only behavior was not repeated, Web and email remained Home Depot’s main focus: a short circular with a four day duration was run on Dec. 1 with a Cyber Monday theme.

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Austin, Texas -- Raley's Family of Fine Stores has selected Revionics’ social commerce solution to power a measurable social media rewards program called Extra Friendzy.