Marketing Tactics

Washington, D.C. – Many online retailers are starting or have started their holiday preparations early this year. According to Shop.org’s eHoliday survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, 74% of online retailers had started preparing for the 2013 holiday season by July of this year, and 51% plan to start their holiday promotions by Halloween.

New York -- The Howard Hughes Corp. on Thursday officially broke ground on the redevelopment of Manhattan’s South Street Seaport, with a ceremony at Pier 17.

The redeveloped Pier 17 is expected to open in 2016, with a mix of retail, dining and entertainment options highlighted by a one and a half-acre rooftop that will include a restaurant, two outdoor bars and an amphitheater that will hold up to 4,000 people for concerts and special events.

Family is all about loyalty, and as a family-owned business, 301-store, Charlotte, N.C.-based Belk, Inc. makes an effort to maintain and reward loyalty from its customers. So when Belk reached its 125th anniversary this year, the retailer decided to launch a campaign that would reward loyal shoppers while also boosting its presence in channels such as mobile and social.

Prized customer engagement

Woonsocket, R.I. – CVS/pharmacy is launching myWeekly Ad, a digital circular powered by the CVS/pharmacy ExtraCare program. The new circular serves up a personalized version of the sales ad for each customer.

Upon signing up, each user will immediately see which of their favorite items are on sale that week, including frequently-bought items or deals in categories that might be of interest to that specific shopper. Personalized ExtraCare savings and rewards can also be found all in one place.

Somerville, Mass. – Merlin Entertainments has reportedly broken ground on a new Legoland Discovery Center location at the 50-acre, mixed-use Assembly Row development in Somerville, Mass. According to the Boston Globe, the 44,000-sq.-ft. store will open in May 2014.

The store will be the only Legoland location in New England and employ about 100 people. Other retailers planning to open stores at Assembly Row include Nike, Brooks Brothers, Chico’s, and J.P. Licks.

Phoenix – PetSmart Inc. has issued guidance for fiscal year 2013 for total sales growth of 3%-4%, as well as same-store sales growth of 3%-4%, compared to the prior fiscal year. PetSmart also slightly downgraded previous same-store sales guidance for the third quarter of fiscal 2013 to 2.2%-2.5%, from previously issued guidance of 3%-4%.

Scanbuy, a leading mobile engagement solutions provider, has released its quarterly trend report showing that it processed nearly 24 million mobile barcode and NFC scans in the third quarter this year, demonstrating continuing strong growth in usage and interest by mobile consumers.

Scanbuy’s trend reports analyze the traffic on the ScanLife mobile app. Highlights include:

Specialty home décor and gifts retailer Kirkland’s is looking to foment customer loyalty with the launch of a K Club Rewards loyalty program on Oct. 20, which will offer consumers exclusive discount opportunities and points on eligible purchases.

“We are excited to offer our customers a new way to earn rewards when they shop at Kirkland’s,” said Mark Krebs, Kirkland’s VP of marketing. “Our goal was to make this program customer-centric, simple and fun, and we have been pleased to hear positive feedback so far.”

NEW YORK — Néstle plans to launch a cup version of its popular Butterfinger candy bar next year, and will introduce the Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups in a Super Bowl commercial.

The company calls it one of its biggest candy launches and said it will be the first time it showcases one of its brands during the big game.

RadioShack has extended its long-term agreement with Citi Retail Services. Under the agreement, Citi will continue to provide service-enhancing solutions and analytics in support of RadioShack’s targets for growth.