Marketing Tactics

PHILADELPHIA — Teen discounter Five Below increased its first quarter profit forecast as sales for the period increased 33% to $95.6 million and same store sales advanced 4.2%.

NEW YORK — The Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza is not the only patriotic item on Macy’s all-American agenda. The retailer is launching its American Icons campaign, featuring American-inspired merchandise, Wednesday, May 15.  

The campaign includes launch parties, “pop up” drive-in movies, cross-country road trips, Major and Minor League baseball events, grilling competitions, sweepstakes and a fundraising program to benefit America’s veterans. 

CLEVELAND — Walmart has launched an exclusive line of nursing bras and related essentials catering to expectant and nursing mothers manufactured by Leading Lady, a Cleveland-based nursing bra and niche-intimate apparel company.

With the Loving Moments collection, Leading Lady aimed to fuse current fashion trends with nursing bra technology. The collection features stretch lace, supportive camis, sleep and leisure bras, as well as seamless everyday bras. 

New York – In what could be bad news for retailers, “mass affluent” consumers (those with $50,000 to $250,000 in investable assets) and Gen Y (age 18-34) are cutting back on spending to save for retirement. According to the Spring 2013 Merrill Edge Report, the average mass affluent investor expects to save $860,000 for retirement but has only saved $150,000. If given an extra $1,000 per month, 50% of mass affluent consumers would put it toward savings or paying down debt.

Slidell, La. -- Dillard’s will anchor the fashion-oriented Phase II of Fremaux Town Center in Slidell, La., according to co-developers CBL & Associates Properties, based in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Stirling Properties out of Covington, La. Phase I of the project is currently under construction with approximately 330,000 sq. ft. anchored by Kohl’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Michael’s, T.J. Maxx, and Best Buy. Phase II will include up to 320,000 sq. ft. of additional retail space.

Beachwood, Ohio -- DDR Corp. announced a strategic agreement with MobileBits Holdings Corp., provider of SAMY, a mobile marketing and engagement platform, to acquire DDR's proprietary location-based mobile marketing solution ValuText.

MobileBits will integrate the ValuText product into the SAMY solution and will make the solution available to DDR tenants and shopping centers. SAMY is an innovative 'mobile mall' application that allows shoppers to gain instant access to the latest discounts, coupons and loyalty cards, via their mobile devices.

Katy, Texas -- The Vista Cos. said that Lindsay Kaye has joined the LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch team as director of marketing and public relations, effective April 23.

Kaye will handle marketing, advertising, event coordination and public relations for the LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch mixed-use development.

Prior to joining The Vista Cos. team, Kaye was promotions manager for Radio Disney.

CINCINNATI — Vantiv, a leading provider of payment processing services and related technology solutions for merchants and financial institutions, is combining point-of-sale redemption technology with the Visa Offers platform for cardholders and merchants of all sizes. 

The upgraded technology will help drive additional value at the point-of-sale. 

WESTPORT, Conn. — TCC, a global leader in retail marketing programs, has appointed former PepsiCo executive Van B. Sapp as president of TCC Americas. In his new role, Sapp will be responsible for TCC's operations in North and South America, adding capabilities with licensed properties and integrating digital components to current customer initiatives.  

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has become the latest retailer to get its geek on. The discount retailer has teamed up with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, in partnership with DC Entertainment, and will launch an extensive summer collection of exclusive Justice League merchandise.