Marketing Tactics

North Plainfield, N.J. -- A cooler start to spring and mixed-bag of Memorial Day weekend weather in the Northeast may have contributed to less than expected year-to-date sales and traffic for some retailers, according to Levin Management’s annual mid-year Retail Sentiment Survey, which polled retailers in the firm’s 90-property, 12.5 million-square-foot shopping center portfolio.
 

An epic journey and exercise in social media brand building is now underway in Canada where four intrepid young men are crossing the country in a custom RV to promote awareness of Hudson’s Bay and have a good time in the process.

NEW YORK — Saks Fifth Avenue and the Entertainment Industry Foundation have named actress Jennifer Aniston as the EIF ambassador for Saks Fifth Avenue’s 2013 Key to the Cure campaign. 

In the 14 years since the inception of the Saks Fifth Avenue charity shopping weekend, the company, together with its vendors and partners, has raised more than $33 million for cancer research. 

New York -- Dollar Tree / Deal$ has leased 8,000 sq. ft. on Steinway St. in Astoria, New York, according to SRS Real Estate Partners.

The SRS New York City office represented the tenant, and Lucid Vass Realty Group represented Astoria Properties Company, the landlord.

Austin, Texas – Slightly more than half of consumers (51%) said they would be more likely to buy something in-store if they received a coupon on their mobile device for that store while nearby, according to a recent mobile commerce survey from RetailMeNot and The Omnibus Company. The survey of 1,067 U.S. residents age 18 and older conducted in April 2013 also revealed:

Snyder, Texas -- United Supermarkets’ store in Snyder, Texas, is set to unveil a fresh new look along with added services resulting from a store remodeling effort now under way.  Snyder will be the first store to receive the new décor – as well as the new United logo.

“We are excited about the new look we are introducing this year for our United brand, and we are thrilled to be rolling it out first in our Snyder store,” Monica Schierbaum, senior director of marketing for United Supermarkets.

Norwalk, Conn. — Pepperidge Farm is looking to drive sales of its Puff Pastry product by bringing in culinary expert and Top Chef judge Gail Simmons. Simmons developed a collection of exclusive recipes that feature the company’s Puff Pastry as a key ingredient. 

In addition to being a judge of Bravo’s Emmy-winning show, Simmons is also the special projects director at Food & Wine magazine. 

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — Ikea was joined by journalist and television host Lisa Ling to mark its third annual Life Improvement Project with a $50,000 donation to Save the Children’s early education programs.

In addition to the donation, Ikea provided home furnishings, design advice and manpower to help make over a Family Head Start/Early Learn location in Brooklyn, N.Y., a Save the Children-supported facility which was affected by Hurricane Sandy.