Marketing Tactics

PLANO, Texas — JCPenney understands that transformation doesn't happen over night and that finding the right people to implement its strategy takes careful planning. The company's latest personnel changes come in the areas of merchandising, brand partnerships, brand makeover and store experience.

Boston -- Wifarer said Tuesday that it has partnered with Boston’s Prudential Center to deliver promotions and deals to customers based on their location inside the shopping center, as well as to provide insights into visitor traffic and venue usage.

Wifarer’s indoor positioning technology uses a venue’s WiFi infrastructure to pinpoint the inside location of a user’s smartphone within four and a half feet and without burdening large venues with extraneous hardware, infrastructure or extra WiFi needs.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — In effort to further its commitment to sustainability, Safeway's brand Softly bath and facial tissue and Ultra Thirsty paper towels are now certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and the Rainforest Alliance. 

Safeway's paper products earned the FSC seal by being produced from fiber sourced from suppliers who have been independently certified to follow the strictest standards in sustainable, ethical forestry management and production chain controls. 

Lawrenceville, Ga. -- Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group and its real estate platform The Mills announced that a newly expanded 20,000-sq.-ft. Forever 21 will open at its value retail destination Discover Mills, located in Atlanta.

The enlarged Forever 21 is slated to open summer 2012 near Entry 5 across from Nike Factory Store.

“An expanded and relocated Forever 21 enhances our value retail mix and the overall shopping experience at Discover Mills,” said Karl Woodard, general manager of Discover Mills.

Boston -- New research released by Brodeur Partners uncovered that Baby Boomers and Generation Y’ers think differently about the shopping experience.

According to The Brodeur Partners’ Retail Relevance Study, Boomers see the ideal shopping experience as getting a good deal on a decent product. For Gen Y, it’s more about a stimulating, sensual, “sharable” experience.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Celebriy Chef Curtis Stone will debut his Kitchen Solutions line March 16 to 17 on HSN. Stone will appear live on HSN during a special one-hour preview at 1 p.m. (EDT) on March 16 and throughout the day on March 17 as part of the multi-channel retailer's "24 Hour HSN Cooks Event."  

New York City -- Barnes & Noble Inc. said Monday that it plans to expand an in-store pilot boutique from its current 10 units to 25.

The 200-sq.-ft. Penguin store-in-stores sell Penguin book titles and merchandise; the Penguin banner is owned by Pearson PLC.

“The sales have been incremental rather than cannibalizing Penguin sales elsewhere in the store because it’s a different experience,” John Makinson, CEO of Pearson PLC’s Penguin Group, told the Wall Street Journal.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Donuts announced Monday the signing of a multi-unit store development agreement with QSR Services for nine new restaurants in Omaha and Lincoln, Neb.

The first restaurant is planned to open in 2013, and the remainder by 2017.

"We are excited to expand Dunkin' Donuts' presence in Omaha and Lincoln and play an important role in the daily lives of people who live, work and visit here," said Bryce Bares, president, QSR Services.