Marketing Tactics

The number of planned store closures at Talbot’s was bumped to 110 units recently when the company reported disappointing first-quarter results and indicated most of the underperforming units would close during the second half of the year.

WASHINGTON — CVS Caremark All Kids Can, a program of the CVS Caremark Charitable Trust and CVS Caremark, and VSA, the international organization on arts and disability, are showcasing their commitment to supporting inclusive arts education with the announcement of the 2011 All Kids Can Create student artists.

BERLIN, N.J. — A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, which operates 135 stores along the U.S. East Coast, has announced a summer-long schedule of free "Make & Take" arts and crafts activities for children ages two to 12, through Aug. 31. All A.C. Moore stores (www.acmoore.com) will offer the free activities, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., each Wednesday, through the end of the summer.

DULUTH, Ga. — Delhaize America banners are getting the kiosk treatment.

NCR is adding more than 800 Blockbuster Express kiosks to Delhaize America supermarkets, including Food Lion, Bottom Dollar Food, Harveys and Reid's across 11 states.

Blockbuster Express kiosks will be located either inside or outside the stores and provide easy access to a wide selection of popular movies, starting at a promotional price of $1 per night per rental, NCR said.

In the May 26 edition of SiteTalk, we asked the question, "Did you attend RECon 2011 in Las Vegas this week? If so, what was your key takeaway from the show?"  This is what several readers had to say:

New York City -- Winick Realty Group LLC said that luxury luggage retailer Mitsosa Group has leased its second Manhattan location at 40 East 55th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues.

The 1,150-sq.-ft. store is expected to open in late summer or early fall, and will feature 35 feet of frontage on 55th Street.

According to Winick, the retailer is looking at other tourist-driven areas throughout Manhattan with plans to open three stores within the next 18 months.

HINGHAM, Mass. — Talbots reported that first quarter income from continuing operations was $0.9 million, or 1 cent per share, compared with last year’s loss from continuing operations of $7.1 million, or 12 cents per share.

CHICAGO and CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and SPRINGFIELD, Mass. and BOSTON — Through a partnership with Incentive Targeting and HaloEffect, Big Y Foods will become the first grocery retailer to offer Groupon deals digitally loaded to shoppers’ loyalty cards, the companies announced.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Monday named Steve Pemberton the company’s divisional VP of diversity and inclusion, becoming the company’s first chief diversity officer.

NEW YORK — New Balance has partnered with supermodel Heidi Klum for a new line of women's footwear to be sold exclusively on Amazon.com, beginning this month.

"We all need a good pair of sneakers whether its for running to the gym or running to the store," said Klum.  "I have extended my line with New Balance and designed a few stylish pairs of sneakers. Very exciting!"