Marketing Tactics

We have reached the time of year when everyone wonders whether they made the “naughty” or “nice” list. Here are a few suggestions for omni-channel retailers who want to ensure Santa (and your customers) place you firmly on the nice list.

Recognize Channel Differences and Limitations

Only two-thirds of Americans are all or almost finished with their holiday shopping as of Dec. 23. Of the 24 retailers surveyed by America’s Research Group and Inmar, only three retained 70% or more of their customer base, with Walmart topping the list at 88.1%, followed closely by Dollar Tree at 80.4%, and Target at 72.1%.

As Seen On TV — a multichannel distributor of products in such areas as kitchen, outdoor, electronics and clothing — is planning to acquire Infusion Brands International, the marketer behind the renowned "Dual" brand and the strategic partner of Ronco Holdings.

The creative minds from the world of auto racing have outdone themselves this time, offering an unconventional prize package courtesy of Great Clips and NASCAR’s most popular driver.

The heartwarming story of a pit bull rescued from a life of torment as a bait dog earned the Pet Rescue Center in Mission Viejo, Calif., a $100,000 grant from the Petco Foundation and Ellen DeGeneres and her natural pet food company Halo.

The rescue group was chosen from among 4,500 submissions and awarded a check during the "Ellen" show on Dec. 23. Thirty-three other animal welfare groups split $500,000 as part of the Petco Foundation’s Holiday Wishes Grant Campaign.

Richmond Hill, Ont. -- Interactive mobile advertising technology provider iSign Media Corp. has developed the Smart Player Kit. The solution is a form of advertising technology that combines digital signage with mobile messaging.

Through this technology, restaurants can now send real-time discounts and offers to customers’ mobile phones while they’re in close proximity or inside the restaurant ready to make a purchase.

New York -- Chain Store Age's Retail Store of the Year design competition has added a new category for its 2014 awards: in-store digital innovation. Retailers, design firms, vendors and suppliers are all eligible to submit entries.

The windows of Macy’s Herald Square flagship are a holiday delight. The six windows on the Broadway side of the store — with themes of Dream, Giving & Sharing, Joy, Beauty, Magic and Believe — tell the story of a young boy’s dream on Christmas Eve, where he travels to a magical crystal forest complete with fairies and sparkling, animated snow.

Fort Worth, Texas -- RadioShack has opened its newest Manhattan location as a pop-up concept store at Penn Station. The limited-time-only location is the third RadioShack pop-up store to open in Manhattan.

In addition, RadioShack has opened a total of eight concept stores in the Manhattan area. The newest pop-up opened five days after construction began.

Yonkers, N.Y. – Unsurprisingly, crowds and long lines are the single biggest consumer dread for the holiday season. According to a new Consumer Reports poll, 61% of consumers dread crowds and long lines, followed by bad traffic (54%).