Marketing Tactics

PHOENIX — PetSmart has the announced the launch of a new collection from Martha Stewart Pets. The collection features innovative, cat-friendly feeding bowls and mats, a well-designed bed and a range of fun, stimulating toys made exclusively for PetSmart stores and PetSmart.com, the company reported.

New York City -- The third annual Fashion’s Night Out -- created by Vogue editor Anna Wintour -- is set to kick off on Thursday, Sept. 8, at 6 p.m. Although the shopping extravaganza has spread to more than 100 U.S. cities as well as select cities abroad, its nexus remains in New York City. More than 1,000 Big Apple merchants and designers are participating in the event, which is the kickoff to the city’s Fashion Week industry gathering.

New York City -- Speaking at the Goldman Sachs 18th Annual Global Retailing Conference in New York City, Myron Ullman III, chairman and CEO of J.C. Penney Co., expressed confidence that the chain is well positioned for the holiday selling season. However, he noted that uncertain economic conditions have caused the chain to pull back on its expectations.

Ullman noted that customers are still purchasing promotionally priced items along with full-priced goods.

 

Chicago -- General Growth Properties, along with more than 130 of its malls, is encouraging employees and local residents in communities across the country to join them as they take pause to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of September 11. 

New York — Consumers are spending more, but doing so in fewer transactions, according to American Express Business Insights’ most recent Business Insights Spend Sights report.

The study, which examines spending patterns across several key categories, U.S. cities and demographic groups, finds that while economic uncertainty continues to dampen overall consumer confidence, a new pattern of less frequent but measurable splurging has become evident among a range of customer groups in several categories.

Hingham, Mass. — Talbots Inc. posted a bigger-than-expected second-quarter loss on Wednesday, largely due to increased markdowns. The retailer also said that chief creative officer Michael Smaldone has departed the company, effective immediately.

Talbots reported a net loss of $37.3 million for the period ended July 30, compared with a profit of $941,000 a year earlier. Revenue fell 10% to $271.1 million from $300.7 million. Same-stores sales fell 10.4%.

Target last week announced the donation $250,000 in cash and product to assist with Hurricane Irene relief efforts, pushing the total amount the company has committed to domestic disaster relief to more than $1 million. The donations will be distributed among relief agencies including The Salvation Army and the American Red Cross. In addition, Target is giving gift cards and 10,000 relief kits to other local, regional and national nonprofit organizations for such essentials as water and food.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys“R”Us announced that its Children’s Fund will make a $200,000 donation to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.

Target’s relationship with the Peterson Milla Hooks ad agency is ending soon but Ad Age reported on details of a final campaign set to air soon for the new Missoni line of apparel and accessories due to hit stores this month for a limited engagement. According to Ad Age, the new campaign includes a 30 second spot shot in Milan that features Margherita Missoni, granddaughter of Missoni’s founders.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Eastman Kodak Company announced that it had entered into an exclusive offering with HSN to sell the Kodak Easyshare Touch M5370 Digital Camera on Sept. 4 to celebrate 100 Million cameras sold over the last fifteen years.  The camera was available at a special price on HSN for $149.95 including free shipping through Sunday, Sept. 4.