Marketing Tactics

MINNEAPOLIS — "Hunger Game" fans will hope the "odds be ever in their favor" to get their hands on special collection keepsakes and an exclusive three-disc version of the blockbuster film. These premium items range from $349 to $999 – Target’s first-ever licensed product offering at this price point – and will be introduced one per day beginning on Aug. 18 to coincide with the DVD release.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion customers can support their favorite schools when they participate in the MVP Classroom Rewards program.

When customers shop with their MVP Cards, a portion of their grocery bills spent only on qualified store brand products is automatically credited to the shoppers' local school of choice. Donations up to $2,500 will be distributed three times per year to schools in January, May and September.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — While new clothes and supplies may top most back-to-school lists, Sam's Club is reminding parents that a clean bill of health is also a must for the school year. On Aug. 11, all Sam's Clubs with a pharmacy will host free children's health screenings from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

DALLAS — Celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe has designed an exclusive collection of vintage-inspired costume jewelry for Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. The collection consists of statement rings, cuffs, necklaces, and earrings.

New York -- J.C. Penney chairman and CEO Ron Johnson on Monday sent out an email to the chain’s customers  detailing how it is returning to the pricing policies its founder James Cash Penney intended.

"While you will see many changes, you can rest assured that we'll never lose sight of our founder's values," Johnson wrote. "When James Cash Penney built his first retail stores over a century ago, he called them 'The Golden Rule,' because treating customers with respect was his highest priority."

Best Buy founder and former chairman Richard Schulze on Monday offered to buy the struggling retailer and take it private for as much as $8.8 billion. Schulze said he would offer Best Buy shareholders between $24 and $26 for each of their shares in the chain, according to a letter sent to the board that he made public.

SECAUCUS, N.J. — Panasonic has expanded its growing portfolio of beauty products with the launch of three new products: a heated eyelash curler, precision body shaver and facial hair trimmer.

The newest products join Panasonic's current beauty product portfolio, which includes facial steamers, pore cleansers and bikini trimmers.

GRAPEVINE, Texas — GameStop has partnered with Activision to offer its customers the exclusive chance to pre-order the Golden Dragonfire Cannon Battle Pack that expands their Skylanders Giants game play with new battle arenas and figures. This limited edition battle pack features the Golden Cannon and unlocks an exclusive in-game battle arena.

And the award for the world’s largest in-store display goes to Procter & Gamble for an Olympic themed creation the consumer products company dropped in the aisle of a Walmart store in American Canyon, Calif.

Oakland, Calif. -- Lucid, a provider of real-time feedback technology for buildings, is spearheading a study of resource consumption and behavior change with Starbucks Coffee Co. The pilot project, developed in conjunction with the Snohomish County Public Utility District and Portland Energy Conservation Inc., will be hosted by 10 Starbucks stores in Snohomish County, Ore., and will serve to test and document measurable energy savings in the stores.