Marketing Tactics

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Look out Lane Bryant. An exclusive line of plus-size apparel is launching this month at Kmart under the LYS brand names, which stands for love your style and love your size. The LYS collection is said to feature trend forward separates that are designed to flatter plus-size women of all shapes and sizes including printed halters, skinny jeans and tunic dresses.

ST. LOUIS — Aisle411, a mobile retail navigation service that helps shoppers locate products down to the shelf location, on Tuesday announced its service now is live in more than 1,000 stores with the addition of three markets — Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Diego.

Other markets identified for expansion included Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Houston, Minneapolis, New York, Phoenix, Sacramento, Calif., Seattle and Washington, D.C.

MINNEAPOLIS-- This spring Target is celebrating the five-year anniversary of its GO International program with a collection that features 34 dresses from 17 past GO International designers. Ranging in price from $24.99 to $44.99, the GO International Designer Collective will be available March 13 through April 10 at most Target stores and Target.com.

Mahwah, N.J. -- Jeweler Bailey Banks & Biddle said Tuesday it has joined TD Retail Card Services’ L.J.C. private-label credit-card program. 

Under the agreement, TD Bank, N.A. will direct the L.J.C. program, which features a revolving private-label credit card created specifically for independent and small-chain retailers of jewelry and other luxury items. Cardholders can avail themselves of a number of special financing options, including multiple deferred interest and equal payment promotions.

Vienna, Va. -- Business listings identity management provider Localeze said Tuesday that casual dining restaurant Texas Roadhouse is using its local search solutions.

Since launching the local search business listings identity management, Texas Roadhouse said it has experienced a 40% increase in website traffic directly from online listings found on local search, mobile and social platforms like Google, Yahoo, Bing, YP.com and Facebook.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. said Tuesday it will open a small-format store in an historic Chicago building constructed in 1899 to house a department store. The national landmark, designed by famed architect Louis Sullivan, was home to the Carson Pirie Scott department store from 1904 to 2007. The retailer also announced that its small-format locations across the United States will be named CityTarget, including the store in Chicago.

Chain Store Age has launched the third edition of its New Product Digest, which is designed to provide retailers with the latest news regarding new products and services, and to help suppliers promote their companies while influencing buying decisions. The companies featured in this volume include Cowan + Associates, Tarrant Lighting and Academy Fire Protection. Check out this month's edition.

Atlanta -- The Home Depot said Tuesday it will hire more than 60,000 seasonal associates in time for the company's second annual Spring Black Friday event.

The retailer will implement the spring promotion market-by-market over four different weekends in the spring. The event marks the start of home improvement's busiest shopping season. 

IRVING, Texas -- Michaels announced that it has updated its wedding section with hundreds of products including guestbooks, flower girl baskets, place cards, cake toppers and tabletop decor.

"DIY is the best way for a couple to create a ceremony and reception that expresses their unique style on any budget," said Michaels chief marketing officer Paula Puleo. "Michaels offers inspiration, ideas and one-stop shopping for everything needed to create a personalized, affordable wedding celebration unlike any other."

BURBANK, Calif. — Gearing up for the summer release of superhero flick Green Lantern, Warner Bros. Consumer Products is teaming up with licensee Mattel to help fans fight evil through a new branded toy line.

WBCP said Mattel will bring "Green Lantern" to life by producing the lineup, which includes:

• The Green Lantern Ring Blast jet figure and vehicle;

• The Green Lantern Battle Shifters figures;

• The Green Lantern Movie Masters figures; and