Marketing Tactics

New York -- Walmart has introduced an online feature, called “Savings Catcher,” that allows shoppers to compare prices on the chain’s food and household products against those of its competitors, according to the Associated Press. General merchandise  categories and electronics are not included, and neither are purchases of store brands or those made online.

Walmart began offering the new service in late February, the report said, in seven markets, including Dallas, San Diego and Atlanta.

Destination XL Group plans to open its first store in Manhattan this June and promises the city’s big and tall men an upscale experience at its store on 699 Sixth Avenue.

Mobile engagement solutions provider Scanbuy introduced a new version of its flagship platform the company contends is fundamentally altering the way marketers approach mobile campaigns.

Scanbuy introduced an all new version of its ScanLife Mobile Engagement Platform to enable enhanced interactions between brands and consumers through QR codes, Microsoft Tag, NFC, short URLs and other mobile triggers in their everyday surroundings, such as stores and restaurants, products and print advertising.

Cranston, R.I. – During the 2013 holiday season, Alex and Ani turned to EBay Enterprise, an EBay Inc. company, to help drive sales and achieve higher ROI through its Facebook ads. Between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, the company’s Facebook ads drove $1.6 million

North Wilkesboro, N.C. – Lowe’s is partnering with lawn product provider Scotts and digital agency HelloWorld to run an online promotion tied to the NCAA “March Madness” college basketball tournament. By utilizing the rich engagement platform of HelloWorld, participants fill out a form to register and select who they think the final four teams in the tournament will be.

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart is offering its largest outdoor living, lawn and garden event of the year, featuring Black Friday-like prices. Starting at 8 a.m. on March 21, through March 29, Walmart’s Spring Savings Event will offer its lowest prices of the season on more than 60 outdoor essentials.

Wal-Mart’s Spring Savings Event will include $1.97 per bag red, black or brown mulch as well as brand-name lawn mowers and grills for less.

Bad weather and a tepid economy claimed another retail victim on Thursday as family footwear retailer Shoe Carnival posted weak sales and profits.

The operator of 379 stores said sales during its 13 week fourth quarter ended February 1 fell to $200.3 million compared to $205.7 million during the 14 week fourth quarter the prior year. Same store sales declined 2.5%. Profits during the period fell more sharply to $600,000, or three cents a share, from $3.2 million, or 13 cents a share the prior year, as gross margins contracted to 28.5% from 29.3%.

Columbus, Ohio – Lane Bryant is opening a new store in Kennesaw, Ga. The store will be located in Town Center at Cobb, right next to the store's previous location at the mall.

The new store is slated to open March 21 and will have a grand opening celebration March 21-23.