Marketing Tactics

Irving, Texas — Michaels Stores creative expert Jo Pearson will serve as one of three judges on TLC's new competition series, "Craft Wars." The show, hosted and executive produced by celebrity crafter Tori Spelling, premieres June 26 at 10 p.m. Eastern (9 p.m. Central time).

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Kohl's has launched its latest Kohl's Cares campaign around the character of Skippyjon Jones, created by Judy Schachner.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Consumers are feeling more positive about the overall economy and are growing more likely to make technology purchase, according to the latest CEA Index from the Consumer Electronics Association.

Seattle — Former Nordstrom executive, Loretta Soffe, has joined the advisory board of Zoomingo, which creates shopping discovery apps that help consumers find the best sales in their local stores anywhere in the nation.

Soffe spent 24 years at Nordstrom in buying, merchandising and product development. For the last 10 years, she served as EVP, general merchandise manager of women's, the largest division in the company with annual sales of $2.0 billion.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Lowe’s has donated $250,000 to the First Response Team of America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to responding to natural disasters and working alongside local agencies to help save lives in the wake of destruction.

Walmart's Asda business earned the title of "Lowest Priced Supermarket" at The Grocer Gold Awards for the 15th straight year. The retailer was also named "Britain’s Favorite Supermarket" for the second year in a row.

OMAHA, Neb. — Country music artist Kellie Pickler has been named the national spokesperson for the ConAgra Foods Foundation Hunger-Free Summer program. The joint effort between the ConAgra Foods Foundation and Feeding America helps provide children with access to nutritious meals, especially in the summer.

Santa Fe, N.M. -- Fort Worth, Texas-based Trademark Property Co. said that Sports Authority will open a new store at Santa Fe Place mall in Santa Fe, N.M.

The 40,000-sq.-ft. store will open in a vacated Mervyn’s anchor space at the center. Construction is slated to launch in October with opening planned for spring 2013. It will be the second Sports Authority in New Mexico; the other store is located in Albuquerque.