Marketing Tactics

Hollister plans to open the Hollister House this summer from Memorial Day weekend through early August. The brand, rooted in Southern California, will feature new summer styles and host music performances at the beach house all summer long.

The lineup of musical artists includes Ariana Grande, Chromeo (DJ set), Cody Simpson, Lucy Hale, MKTO, Timeflies and Zendaya.

San Francisco -- Revel Systems, a leading provider of iPad point-of-sale solutions, has opened its first pop-up store, in historic Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco. The initiative is a joint effort between Revel Systems and PopUpShopUp. The Revel pop-up is designed as a multi-use space hosting a variety of QSR & retail businesses that Revel has invited to be given the opportunity to have a physical store for the first time.

Virgin Mobile has entered into a partnership with Banana Republic that will offer its Canadian members the newest looks from the brand for less.

Starting today through Dec. 31, Virgin Mobile members will receive 20% off any one full-priced item at Banana Republic stores across the country.

Fred's plans to implement a long-term marketing strategy stressing everyday low pricing and the convenience of a smaller box to help bolster sales against what the company describes as "intense competitive pressures." The company's pharmacy operations continue to grow, however.

Fred's reported $150 million in sales for the four weeks ended May 3, representing a decline of 1.6% as compared to year-ago sales. For the first quarter ended May 3, sales totaled $498.5 million, down 0.6%.

Albuquerque, N.M. -- Consumers can shop for clothes categorized by astrological signs at the newly launched Fashionsofthezodiac.com, described as the world's first online store to organize its clothing and accessories by the 12 signs of the zodiac. The company expects to open a store early next year, in Denver.

Roundy's saw net sales increase by 1.9% to $1 billion, and reported a net loss of $4.5 million compared with net income of $8.6 million.

Cole Haan has launched its Dog Days of Summer campaign in partnership with The Good Dog Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes the use of animal-assisted therapy using its certified therapy dog teams.

The brand enlisted a few canine friends from the foundation to star in the campaign. From Coco, a Yorkshire Terrier perched upon an upside down top hat, to Emma and Finn, two Mini Whoodles outfitted in white and blue polka dot bows, the dogs are shown alongside select pieces from Cole Haan's men's pre-fall collection.

New York -- Many retailers reported better than expected sales in April, helped by warmer weather and a later-than-usual Easter. Gap Inc., L Brands, Costco Wholesale Club, The Buckle, Stein Mart and Zumiez all came in ahead of analysts estimates.

At Gap Inc., same-store rose a better-than-expected 9% in April. By banner, sales were up 3% at Gap stores, 7% at Banana Republic and 18% at Old Navy. Analysts had expected Gap’s total same-store sales to inch up 0.1%.