Marketing Tactics

NEW YORK – Holiday music playing throughout Toys “R” Us’ flagship store in New York City’s Times Square helped set the stage for chairman and CEO Jerry Storch’s take on what’s to come this season.

New York City -- Toys “R” Us is cutting back on the number of temporary holiday stores it opens this year compared with last, but it is significantly expanding the number of exclusive products it offers, chairman and CEO Jerry Storch said at a press conference Wednesday. The retail chief’s bet on the hottest toy of the season: Animal Planet’s Air Swimmers line (helium-filled, radio-controlled flying fish), which will be available only at Toys “R” stores and via its website.

New York City -- Saks has named Denise Incandela to the newly created role of chief marketing officer for Saks Fifth Avenue.

Incandela, who joined Saks Fifth Avenue in 1999, will continue as president of Saks Direct.
 

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores on Wednesday launched initiatives intended, it says, to help women around the globe in the next five years.

The retailer has spent the last year developing a plan -- with help from both governmental and non-governmental organizations and philanthropic groups -- which will direct $20 billion over a five- year period on goods and services from U.S. businesses owned by women, as well as double the amount it pays women-run suppliers overseas.

Portland, Ore. -- Daily deal site LivingSocial said Tuesday that it has reached new records with its first nationwide grocery deal, implemented with Whole Foods Market.

The debut deal offered shoppers $20 worth of products at Whole Foods for $10.

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Wednesday by the Commerce Department said that retail sales were flat in August, the weakest showing in three months.

Apparel retail sales fell 0.7% in August, following a 0.3% decline in July.  Department store sales declined 0.3%.  General merchandise stores such as Wal-Mart and Target fared better, with 0.1% gains. Analysts said Hurricane Irene likely disrupted sales in late August along most of the East Coast.

Winston-Salem, N.C. — Family Dollar Stores has found itself a way to better understand how customers respond to its in-store displays and promotions, and how they can be improved to generate more sales. The discount retailer has engaged RockTenn, manufacturer of consumer packaging solutions and BVI Networks, a provider of real-time in-store monitoring, to open the first large format "ShopperGauge" branded retail learning lab at Family Dollar Stores.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Stein Mart announced that it has partnered with its new ad agency, ArnoldNYC for the launch of "Love at First Find," a national campaign focusing heavily on digital and social engagement. The integrated effort – consisting of digital, social media, TV, print and radio – stars real Stein Mart customers with the goal of fostering an online community of fans via Facebook and Stein Mart's website, the company reported. The campaign is the first work from ArnoldNYC since being named Stein Mart's agency of record in June.

Winston-Salem, N.C. -- RockTenn and BVI Networks announced the debut of its first large-format ShopperGauge Retail Learning Lab at Family Dollar Stores.

The goal is to provide a state-of-the-art “learning laboratory” in a set of real stores where Family Dollar and its suppliers can test designs, displays and promotions with customers, ultimately improving the in-store shopper experience.

New York City -- A series of retailer moves on Madison Avenue has allowed for expansion and improved adjacencies in one of Manhattan’s luxury shopping meccas.

According to Prudential Douglas Elliman’s Retail Group, Italian luxury sportswear retailer Paul & Shark has opened in the Hartz Mountain Building at 667 Madison Avenue, replacing Michael Kors. In turn, Michael Kors will move to the current Steuben store and open a new flagship when the glassmaker departs the space.