Marketing Tactics

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Pier 1 reported that same-store sales rose 7.2% in the first quarter, helped by strong holiday assortments. First-quarter revenue was up 8% to $361 million, beating Wall Street's estimate of $360.7 million.

President and CEO Alex Smith said Thursday that the shoppers have been buying the retailer's Easter, spring, Mother's Day and Memorial Day products.

Indianapolis -- LIDS Sports Group has reached an agreement with the University of Florida to operate and manage the official team stores for the Florida Gators. This includes two primary locations within “The Swamp,” as well as other special event concessions for the University’s baseball, basketball, and gymnastics athletic programs, among others.

New York -- With only a few exceptions, retailers are posting solid gains in May, with such chains as Target, TJX, Ross and TJX Cos. beating Wall Street forecasts for the month. The Thomson Reuters Same-Store Index, which tracks the stores that release monthly sales reports, is expected to rise 3.6% in May.

"Analysts are taking a careful approach to May same-store sales given the cautious tone issued by most retailers on second-quarter earnings guidance," said Ken Perkins of Retail Metrics, in a research report.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R"Us is continuing its support of Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for all children with cancer, through in-store and online fundraising as well as a social media campaign. Beginning this Friday, June 1 through Tuesday, July 31, the company will "Help Fight Childhood Cancer, One Cup at a Time" with an in-store and online fundraising campaign benefiting ALSF.

Target couldn’t have written a better script for last weekend’s Indianapolis 500, won by Dario Franchitti in the number 50 Target Honda.

Fans of the IndyCar racing series know that Franchitti’s Honda normally bears the number 10, but in recognition of Target’s golden anniversary the car and his uniform bore the number 50. Franchitti had won the Indy 500 on two prior occasions so the fact that he was running well throughout the day was no surprise.

NEW YORK — Nicole by OPI is launching new fall shades of nail lacquer exclusively at Target this fall.

“Nicole by OPI is excited to bring the fashion-forward Target guest new lacquers for the fall season,” stated Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI EVP and artistic director. “Not only do the shades add the final touch to runway trends, the shimmery finish [also] adds elegance and depth to these trendy colors.”

The richly pigmented formulas come in shimmering shades of deep blue, gold, purple, mauve and green.

Target this week featured collection of Procter & Gamble’s leading brands under the auspices of a “summer stock-up” sale that offered purchasers of three items a $10 gift card.

Nashville, Tenn. -- Tennessee’s largest outlet and value retail center, Opry Mills, has added a Claim Jumper restaurant to its dining options.

The new restaurant, which is making its market debut, recently opened at Entry 7 near the entertainment stage and joins other eateries such as Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Dave & Buster’s, Chuy’s, Rainforest Café, Aquarium Restaurant and a nine-unit food court.
 

New York -- J.C. Penney appears to be relenting a bit on the strict non-promotional strategy launched by CEO Ron Johnson.

In a report on CNBC.com, Deutsche Bank analyst Charles Grom said the chain has added five "Best Price Friday" events to its calendar. The first took place the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, and another is scheduled for Black Friday in November. Others may occur at peak sales times, according to Grom.

Dallas -- Loyalty and marketing solution-provider Alliance Data Systems Corp. announced Wednesday that it has signed a multi-year renewal agreement to continue providing the turnkey, marketing-driven private label credit card program for Gardner-White Furniture.

Gardner-White is a regional retailer of home furnishings, electronics, mattresses and accessories in the metro Detroit area.