Marketing Tactics

Waban, Mass. - After a drop in daily Facebook usage on computers in 2013, U.S. consumers increased their daily use of Facebook, from 42.5% of the population in 2013 to 46.5% in 2014, according to new research by the Temkin Group. The "Social Media Benchmark Study, 2014" examines 10,000 U.S. consumers' use of several different social media sites, on computers and mobile devices, and compares the results to previous studies from 2012 and 2013.

With company representatives, Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, local officials and community leaders on hand, Ikea officially broke ground for its future St. Louis store scheduled to open fall 2015.

The 380,000-sq.-ft. location with 1,300 parking spaces will be built along the northern side of Interstate-64 and Vandeventer Ave. on nearly 21 acres in the City’s Cortex Innovation District. The company has contracted with St. Louis-based S. M. Wilson & Co. to construct the project.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. - Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores Inc. will open its newest Colorado Sears Home Appliance Showroom on June 26 in Arvada. The Arvada location marks the fourth opening of a new Sears Home Appliance Showroom Store this year and the 14th opening of a new store across all of Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores formats.

New York -- Juicy Couture is closing its U.S. stores as it makes plans to debut a new retail store format in key high-traffic locations, including New York City, Los Angeles and Vancouver, in early 2015. The company expects to open 127 stores and in-store shops during the next five years in major cities across the globe.

When it comes to display merchandise solutions, most retailers are looking for more space and versatility. Uniweb has dedicated itself to providing both since making its debut in 1970. Company president Cindy Davidson discussed general trends in fixturing and what sets Uniweb, which prides itself as a made-in-America manufacturer, apart from the competition.

Ann Arbor, Mich. - Domino's Pizza is partnering with gamification provider Quikly to give one customer free pizza for a year. Consumers can register for the Fan Perks giveaway beginning June 24, and participate in the giveaway that will take place at a time designed to surprise Domino's customers.

Sporting goods and apparel retailer Academy Sports + Outdoors has renewed multi-year contracts with Auburn University and the University of Alabama. The renewal means that it will continue to sell the universities’ licensed products in its 13 Alabama stores.
 
The retailer is currently an official sponsor of University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide and official sporting goods retailer for Auburn University’s Tigers, and has been working with the two universities for several years.
 

The Finish Line takes omnichannel approach to ‘March Madness’

Athletic footwear retailer The Finish Line offers a highly seasonal assortment.