Marketing Tactics

East Harford, Conn. — Horizon Group Properties has announced an agreement to develop a new outlet center in East Hartford, Conn. The 350,000-sq.-ft. Outlet Shoppes at Rentschler Field is scheduled to open in the summer of 2016. Rentschler Field is a historic airstrip located near downtown Hartford.

The Hartford metropolitan area has 2.2 million residents and an average annual household income above the national average. No outlet shopping centers currently serve the market.

Mexico City -- Yelp Inc. has announced the availability of Yelp Mexico. Beginning March 13, people throughout Mexico are able to create accounts on Yelp.com.mx to share their opinions about great local businesses.

Yelp's free iPhone and Android applications will be available as well as its free suite of business owner tools: Yelp for Business Owners.

Seattle -- Starbucks has opened up its first company-operated store on a Disney property, at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, Calif. The 5,600-sq.-ft. store is the first of several company-operated locations that are scheduled open across Disney properties in the United States.

San Francisco -- Williams-Sonoma reported a better-than-expected profit of $133.8 million in the fourth quarter, up slightly from $133.7 million in the year-ago period. The company also announced it is lifting its dividend 2 cents, or 6%, to 33 cents a share.

Columbus, Ohio – DSW Inc. opens a new store in Davenport, Iowa on March 20. As of March 20, DSW will operate 398 stores in 42 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

DSW Rewards is a free loyalty program in which customers earn certificates toward future DSW purchases and receive special member-only offers. Customers can also participate in a Shoe Lover community on Facebook to receive exclusive offers and giveaways.

San Francisco -- Sephora has launched a new social shopping platform, called Beauty Board, to engage customers through beauty images and allow them to post, share, browse and shop the company’s photo gallery directly on its web site, mobile site, iPhone and Android apps. Shoppers will be able to upload photos, tag the products they use, and give helpful tips on how they achieved the look.

Goodlettsville, Tenn. -- Dollar General on Thursday reported a 1.5% rise in fourth-quarter profits, below analysts’ estimates, as the retailer felt the impact of harsh winter weather, along with increased competition and low consumer confidence. The company also said it plans to open approximately 700 new stores in 2014.

The retailer earned $322.2 million in the quarter ended Jan. 31, compared with $317.4 million a year earlier.