Marketing Tactics

Atlanta -- Jones Lang LaSalle announced Tuesday that it has launched a comprehensive digital media program across its 98 million-sq.-ft. nationwide retail portfolio.

The firm is rolling out The Scoop customer loyalty program, the My Style social media program and new center-specific mobile apps to deliver up-to-the-minute information on fashion trends, retailer promotions and events.

Has anyone else noticed that the Christmas holiday “season” starts earlier and earlier each year? This year, Walmart had their Christmas displays out by mid-September and many retailers were touting holiday sales in October! I still remember when Black Friday was the “official” kick-off to the holiday shopping season and it was surprising to see Christmas decorations up in mid-November. I keep wondering what the real-world implications of this calendar shift might mean – if anything – for retailers’ overall holiday and end-of-year sales?

New York City -- New York & Co. said Tuesday it has launched its debut Facebook sweepstakes campaign, which it will promote through multiple social media outlets.

The promotion, which runs Nov. 1 – Nov. 16, utilizes email, in-store signage, Facebook and Twitter, and awards a sweepstakes winner a trip for two to New York City, as well as provides gift cards to runners up.
 

Chicago -- A report released Tuesday by retail foot traffic counter ShopperTrak identified the 10 holiday shopping days that will make or break the period for retailers.

“Since Christmas falls on different calendar days each year, the shift impacts which days are the busiest,” said ShopperTrak co-founder Bill Martin. “Some change in ranking or drop off completely.”

NEW YORK — Macy's announced that, for the first time ever, it will open its stores at 12 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 25, the day after Thanksgiving, to give shoppers a jump on Black Friday.

According to the company, its Black Friday sale will include door-buster deals on hundreds of items from electronics to jewelry, and even a limited-edition fragrance gift set from Justin Bieber featuring his holiday CD and an exclusive bonus track. 

News spread quickly last week that Target stores would open at midnight on Black Friday, and that was the idea. The company earned a tremendous amount of media exposure by announcing its earliest ever opening time and joined the ranks of other retailers eager to accommodate the desires of millions of Americans by opening as early as possible on Black Friday.

Any given week Target’s circular is filled with various offers of free gift cards designed to incent shoppers to purchase key items.  Some of the offers can be quite generous, as was the case this week with a $50 gift card available to those who purchase an Xbox 360 bundle or a $20 gift card with the purchase of KitchenAid appliances priced at $99.99. The most common gift card denomination is $5, and it tends to be offered on multiple items from the same manufacturer or brand family such as two Gillette razors or three Dial products.

New York City -- Macy’s announced that its namesake stores across the country will open at midnight on Nov. 25, the midnight of Thanksgiving night, to kick off the 2011 holiday shopping season. It is the first time that Macy’s has opened its doors chainwide at midnight. The company’s Bloomingdale’s unit will open its doors on Black Friday at 8 a.m.

Last year, Macy's opened eight stores at midnight. The rest of the stores opened at 4 a.m.