Marketing Tactics

Ikea uses sustainability to drive innovation and shape investments. The company’s latest investment involves a 7.65 megawatt Carrickeeny wind farm, which it plans to purchase from global wind and solar company Mainstream Renewable Power. 

Mainstream has started construction on the project, which is located in Leitrim in the northwest of Ireland and is expected to be operational in early 2014. As part of the deal, Mainstream will operate and maintain the wind farm on behalf of Ikea for its 20-year lifespan.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Belk Bowl today announced that they have finalized a deal that will bring an SEC team to the Belk Bowl beginning in 2014. The agreement extends for six years.

"We are thrilled to have the SEC as a partner for the Belk Bowl. We look forward to bringing the best of college football to Charlotte," said Tim Belk, Belk's chairman and CEO.

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Coupon Express, Inc. has appointed Glenn Gardone as its CEO and chairman of the board.

Gardone is a consumer packaged goods sales and marketing executive with more than 20 years of experience working in all retail and wholesale channels throughout North America. Prior to joining Coupon Express, he worked at PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Kellogg and Del Monte. 

New York City -- Fashion retailer Marc Jacobs will enter the beauty category with his first store dedicated to cosmetics and beauty items.

The nearly 500-sq.-ft. store has opened at 385 Bleecker Street in Manhattan and, according to a Women’s Wear Daily report, will showcase the designer’s 121-SKU color cosmetics collection, as well as his fragrances with Coty Prestige. 


San Bruno, Calif. -- Walmart.com is giving fans of its Facebook page early access to a "Back to Class Cyber Monday" event being held Monday, Aug. 12. Customers will receive online discounts of up to 60% on close to 300 back-to-school items ranging as high as almost 60%, while supplies last. Fans of Wal-Mart’s Facebook page can gain early access to the sale by visiting the page on Sunday, Aug. 11 and clicking a special link.

San Bruno, Calif. -- YouTube is reportedly challenging the Vine video app from Twitter and Instagram video app from Facebook with its own new video app called MixBit. As reported by the New York Times, MixBit allows users to record up to 16 seconds of video (compared to 15 seconds for Instagram and six seconds for Vine) on their smartphones.

Transaction marketing firm Affinity Solutions said it hired Richard Bravman as COO and Gary Starr as CFO to capitalize on new opportunities in the growing world of transaction informed marketing solutions.

Total U.S. Shopper Traffic in Retail Stores and Malls for July 2013

Shopper activity increased last month, as ShopperTrak anticipated. Retail foot traffic increased 5.2% in July compared to June 2013. This is in line with recently reported positive month-over-month retail trends. However, foot traffic for July 2013 dropped compared to the same month in 2012 — with a decrease of 2.3%.

Forget about hosting America’s Got Talent or being married to Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon is living the dream at Office Depot where the retailing is promoting a line of back-to-school supplies designed in collaboration with the rapper, actor, comedian.

SALT LAKE CITY — Overstock.com's donations to Wounded Warrior Project now exceed $1 million.

In keeping with the company's longstanding commitment to support members of the U.S. Armed Forces, Overstock.com has collected customer donations on behalf of WWP since November 2009.