Marketing Tactics

Chicago -- Fashion Outlets of Chicago, a 530,000-sq.-ft. retail destination located just minutes from O'Hare International Airport and 15 miles from downtown Chicago, will open its doors for the first time on Aug. 1.

Emeryville, Calif. – Consumers in the U.S. and U.K. feel overwhelmed by targeted apparel marketing messages, but are responsive to messaging that includes genuinely personalized information. A new study of 409 U.S. and U.K. consumers from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) indicates that 66% of consumers say that many personalized apparel messages are annoying because attempts at personalization are superficial.

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah-based online retailer Overstock.com has a fresh round of TV ads, and they feature Snoop Lion (formerly known as Snoop Dogg), his wife, Shante, his daughter, Cori, and his sons, Corde and Cordell. 

The ads depict Snoop using Overstock.com to find products that solve his wife and kids' most pressing problems.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart is offering Shop Your Way members a chance to save at the pump while checking off their school supply and grocery shopping lists at select stores. 

The retailer cited the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report, which states that the average national price of a regular gallon of gas is $3.62, compared to the national average of $3.48 a year ago. And Kmart wants to make sure the recent spike in gas prices which has coincided with the back-to-school shopping season doesn’t negatively impact foot traffic to stores. 

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl’s is planning to hold a nationwide Win Great Things sweepstakes from Sunday, August 4 through Monday, September 2 — the final weeks before the school year starts for many students. 

Los Angeles — Westfield, an Australian-based company that operates 47 U.S. malls, is leveraging mobile technology and social media to promote its back-to-school campaign. 

New York -- Consumers continue to hold tight to their purse strings and will rely heavily on online and mobile channels while they shop, according to Deloitte’s annual “Back-to-School” and “Back-to-College” surveys. 

Shoppers are far more optimistic about the economy than this time last year. Nearly four in 10 (37%) are more confident in the economy’s prospects, compared with just one-quarter (26%) a year ago. 

Camp Hill, Pa. -- Rite Aid is launching a loyalty program for consumers 65 and up. The new program is the latest extension of the chain’s customer loyalty program wellness+.

New York -- Walmart had the top online retail site for back-to-school shoppers last week, according to sales data and analysis from Experian Marketing Services (EMS). Rounding out the top five: J.C. Penney, Macy’s, Office Max and Sears. 

Experian noted that brick and mortar stores are getting the majority of search traffic to date. The company also said that offers in subject lines were present on 37% of back- to-school email, and generated 57% of total email revenue in 2012. 

MIAMI — Regency Centers Corp. has announced the development of Fontainebleau Square, a 320,339-sq.-ft. grocery anchored community center, the company’s first ground-up retail development in Dade County.

Fontainebleau Square has signed Publix Sabor (45,600 sq. ft.) and Target (139,751 sq. ft.) as anchors. Construction starts this month, with anchor openings expected as early as October 2014.