Marketing Tactics

LOS ANGELES — Sears is targeting young women with a new career-focused apparel line called Metaphor. The apparel collection, which is scheduled to hit stores in August, will include jackets, trousers, shirts and dresses at reasonable price points, according to the company. The line will be complemented by fashion footwear and jewelry.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has launched an effort to help diabetes patients save on their disease management products.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot has revealed a new back-to-school advertising campaign featuring multi-faceted actor, comedian and host of "America’s Got Talent," Nick Cannon. The campaign showcases Office Depot’s technology and fashion assortment to help students “Be Ncredible” this school year.

LOS ANGELES — Back-to-school shoppers plan on stretching their dollar and taking advantage of retailer incentives to save, PriceGrabber said.

PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Hasbro reported that net revenues for the quarter were $811.5 million, a decrease of 11%, compared with $908.5 million in 2011. Second quarter 2012 net revenues declined 7% excluding a negative $34.4 million impact of foreign exchange.

Net earnings for the second quarter 2012 were $43.4 million, or 33 cents per diluted share, versus $58.1 million, or 42 cents per diluted share, in 2011.

BURNABY, B.C. — Best Buy Canada and its subsidiary Future Shop are taking the issue of online competition head on with revised price match and return policies in response to the changing nature of retail in Canada and commitment to customer service.

Lakewood, Colo. -- Outlet and value shopping center Colorado Mills announced the hiring of Deborah Celaya as director of marketing and business development.

In her new role, Celaya will be responsible for strategic marketing, business development, public relations, tenant relations, guest services and tourism.

Celaya most recently held a senior executive position at Race Partners, and has previously served as group VP for General Growth Properties.

Katy, Texas -- Soma Intimates said it will open a new boutique at LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch, located in Katy, Texas.

The new store is slated to open July 23.

A joint venture of Houston-based Vista Equities Group and Denver-based Amstar Group, LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch is a mixed-use town center development located within the 7,600-acre master planned community of Cinco Ranch.

Phase I of LaCenterra opened March 1, 2007 with approximately 170,000 sq. ft.