Marketing Tactics

Digital ads most effective when they include…
Shoppers may notice digital ads, but they are not necessarily clicking on, or responding to, them. That’s according to a new study by Valassis, “Motivating the Dynamic Shopper: Purchase Decisions In-Progress,” which analyzes how digital ads best engage and then motivate customers to take action. Three groups were studied; parents, millennials and Gen X.
Celebrate best in class design — and the Store of the Year
The Retail Design Institute’s most prestigious event is returning to New York. The Institute will hold its 46th Annual Design Awards Gala & Fundraiser at Current at Chelsea Piers, overlooking the Hudson River and Chelsea Piers marina, on May 24, 2017, from 6-9 p.m. The event will celebrate Best in Class Design projects from around the world, and also the winner of the coveted Store of the Year award. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Institute's 2017 Student Design Competition Prize Fund.

Retailers in big push to uphold debit swipe fee reform
Makeover complete at L.A. area center

A formerly troubled center in an affluent community south of Los Angeles has capped off an 18-month, $17 million renovation. Just two years ago, The Vestar-owned Peninsula Center in Rolling Hills Estates was plagued by several vacancies and an image not in keeping with standards in the community, which has a median household income of $144,000. Today Orchard Supply Hardware and Ulta Beauty occupy the made-over center, along with new dining options Chipotle and The Habit Burger Grill.
New grocery delivery program targets business travelers

One hotel chain is putting a new spin on room service. Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham is partnering with Peapod and Instacart on a new grocery delivery pilot. Targeting the many travelers who are eager to keep a few “staples” in their hotel room, but struggle to hunt down the closest grocery store in an unfamiliar city, Hawthorn Suites is piloting a program that delivers groceries directly to guests’ doors.
Walmart debuts new financing plans

The nation’s largest retailer is introducing special financing for its credit cards that comes with an appealing hook. The new offer provides no-interest financing plans for the Walmart Credit Card and the Walmart Mastercard Credit Card, with plans extending across either six months or 12 months on purchases. Similar to most plans, customers don’t pay any interest during the promotional period. But the Walmart offer is different from most others in that the interest also does not accrue during the promotional period.
Study ranks America’s favorite grocery stores

Non-traditional grocery shopping methods are on the rise, but traditional supermarkets still are tops with consumers.
Study: When it comes to paid search ads, Rent the Runway is Prom Queen

Rent the Runway, a disruptor in traditional formal wear category, is now a leader in the paid search advertising category.
QVC signs up new high-profile partner

Look for Martha Stewart to appear on the QVC channel. Sequential Brands Group announced a multi-year agreement with QVC for Sequential’s Martha Stewart brand. Under the agreement, QVC will launch several categories for the brand, including skincare, fashion apparel, and food and beverage.
Facebook soars in Q1, beats estimates

Mobile ads and solid user growth across its suite of apps contributed to a strong first quarter for Facebook. For the quarter ended March 31, revenue rose 49% to $8.03 billion, from $5.38 billion in the same period a year earlier. This surpassed analyst predictions of $7.83 billion. Based on this quarter’s earnings, Facebook has exceeded analyst expectations for eight straight quarters.
Online plus-size brand to open first store

A pure player specializing in activewear for plus-size women is making the leap to the offline world. Juno Active will open its first store this spring, at Mall of America, in Bloomington, Minn. The 3,200-sq.-ft. space will offer activewear and swimwear, starting at size 14, along with intimates. Originally called Junonia, the company was founded in 1995 as a catalog operation. It rebranded itself as Juno Active in 2012, and switched to an exclusive online model.
First Look: Warby Parker goes Hollywood

No two stores are exactly alike at Warby Parker. But its new store in Los Angeles — the eyewear brand’s 50th outpost to date — is more unique than all the others. Located on Melrose Avenue, the new Warby Parker pays homage to Hollywood’s moviemaking history. It even has its own green screen studio where customers can create their own mini-movies.